Sandeshkhali Women Exploitation: Amidst the ongoing tension in Sandeshkhali of North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal since last week, the case of exploitation of women of the area reached the Supreme Court on Thursday (February 15). Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava has filed a public interest litigation. The petitioner has demanded from the apex court that the investigation and trial of the case should be transferred outside the state.
The petitioner has demanded that the case should be investigated by CBI or SIT under the supervision of the Supreme Court and a committee of 3 judges should also be formed like Manipur. The petition also demands that compensation should be given to the victims and action should be taken against the policemen guilty of negligence.
What is the matter?
To investigate the role of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in the alleged ration scam, the ED team had reached Sandeshkhali on January 5 to raid his hideout. ED officers and CAPF personnel were attacked there. Sheikh Shahjahan is accused of being the mastermind of the attack. Sheikh Shahjahan is absconding. Since the incident, local women have been protesting accusing Sheikh Shahjahan and his supporters of harassment.
Politics is heating up in the matter!
Political rhetoric is also coming to the fore on the matter. Allegations and counter-allegations are being seen in the state between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP. Recently, West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose had also visited the tense area and talked to the women protesters. The team of the State Women’s Commission has also met the protesters and now the Chairperson of the National Women’s Commission will go among them.
When did the State Women Commission team visit?
On February 12, a team of the West Bengal Women’s Commission visited Sandeshkhali and spoke to the women who have accused Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters of sexual harassment.
According to news agency PTI, State Women’s Commission Chairperson Leena Gangopadhyay had told on phone that she had personally spoken to the women and heard the complaints. He had said, “We will investigate his allegations.” I have asked the police to submit a report on this.” The National Commission for Women had also sent a letter to the West Bengal government seeking a report within 48 hours on the allegations made in Sandeshkhali.
When will the chairperson of National Women Commission leave Sandeshkhali?
According to news agency ANI, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma will visit Sandeshkhali on February 19 during her two-day visit to West Bengal. She will also hold a meeting with the Chief Secretary of West Bengal and the Director General of Police.
Chief Secretary and District Magistrate summoned on notice of Sukant Majumdar
On Thursday (February 15), the Privileges Committee of Parliament directed the Chief Secretary of West Bengal and the District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas to appear before it on February 19 for oral evidence in breach of privilege and violation of protocol norms.
This incident has come to light in connection with the notice given by state BJP chief and MP Sukant Majumdar to the police officers and district administration of Basirhat in North 24 Parganas for alleged misbehavior, cruelty and causing fatal injuries.
Let us tell you that on Wednesday, when the police stopped Sukant Majumdar while going from Taki to Sandeshkhali, he had a clash with BJP workers. Sukant Majumdar became unconscious after getting trapped in it. According to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Sukant Majumdar was in ICU on Thursday.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s allegation
According to news agency IANS, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday (February 15), “ED is responsible for whatever is happening in Sandeshkhali at present. The Chief Minister said that first the ED went there targeting Shahjahan and created tension in the area. Then a deliberate attempt was made to create tension between the minority and tribal population. Masked people are creating trouble in Sandeshkhali. Outsiders are responsible for the ongoing tension there.
BJP’s counterattack
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned Mamata Banerjee’s statement, calling it shameful and irresponsible. Talking to the media at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Prasad said that Mamata Banerjee has said one thing in the Assembly on Sandeshkhali, which is very shameful.
The BJP leader claimed that Mamata Banerjee said that those women who were talking about sexual exploitation against them by half covering their faces, she had asked them why these women do not open their mouths and speak and she (Mamata Banerjee) was talking about them. Will take action against her, she said that Sandeshkhali is a burner of RSS.
The BJP leader asked the question, what does he mean by saying this? TMC goons sexually exploit women, women themselves are speaking, have even met the Governor and Mamata Banerjee is calling it a burner of RSS, she should be ashamed.
(With IANS inputs)