Explained: The outrage in West Bengal over public flogging of a couple

The public flogging of a couple over an alleged extramarital affair in West Bengal has sparked outrage.

The incident has brought the ruling Trinamool Congress under attack after the man leading the assault at a salishi sabha (kangaroo court) was identified as a TMC functionary.

The Opposition has now said the scenes were reminiscent of the “Taliban” dispensation of justice.

Let’s take a look.

Public flogging of the couple

The incident took place in the Lakhipur gram panchayat area of Chopra block in Uttar Dinajpur district on 28 June.

A video clip that surfaced online shows a woman clad in a yellow kurta and a man in a shirt and trousers, surrounded by a group of men. They are thrown to the ground and are seen screaming and pleading for mercy as they are whipped with a broom.

The man leading the assault was identified as Tajmul alias ‘JCB’, purportedly a TMC leader of the Chopra area. Locals allege that Tajmul is notorious for conducting kangaroo courts and extorting money from people.

According to the police, the flogging was ordered by a kangaroo court over allegations of an illicit relationship. As per Indian Express

sources, around 200 people gathered at a local primary school ground on Sunday.

The newspaper’s sources said the victims did not lodge a complaint even two days after the incident because they were so terrified.

The public assault in Chopra has drawn comparisons to a previous scandal in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, where TMC leader Sahajahan Sheikh and his associates were accused of sexual abuse and land grabs.

The arrest

The police arrested Tajmul Islam on Sunday after the video went viral on social media.

They brought him to the Islampur police station and he was later produced before a local court and sent to police custody for five days.

Earlier, Islampur SP Joby Thomas K, according to Indian Express, said, “We have registered a suo motu case, the incident is of Chopra. We are making efforts to arrest the accused. Action will be taken as per law.”

In a statement, the Islampur district police said, “Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation about an incident in Chopra PS under Islampur PD. The fact is, police promptly identified and arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a lady. Suo motu case started by the police. Victim has been provided police security. Investigation proceeds.”

TMC’s response

Responding to the shocking incident, TMC district president Kanaiyalal Agarwal said, “The man and the woman were engaged in an extramarital affair. They are both married. The people of the area could not accept this. Therefore, the salishi sabha. But we do not support what Tajmul did. I have heard the police have started a case. We will also probe the role of the party worker.”

TMC leader Santanu Sen said, “This is condemnable. TMC’s local leaders have also condemned the incident. Police have registered a case and the culprits will soon be arrested. What we are surprised about is when the BJP talks about kangaroo courts, etc. We have seen so many incidents of utmost brutality in the name of kangaroo courts in UP and Bihar. Let the police do their work.”

However, remarks by Hamidul Rehman, the local MLA, accusing the couple of “polluting society by engaging in an illicit relationship” triggered an angry reaction from the BJP.

“The couple was allegedly engaged in an illicit relationship, which is why they were flogged. They were socially polluting society through their activities,” he said.

‘Taliban-like rule in Bengal’

The BJP alleged that Tajmul had ties to Hamidul Rehman, who reportedly defended him despite the TMC’s condemnation of the incident.

BJP women MLAs in West Bengal staged a protest on Monday on the Assembly premises over the assault on the couple and alleged atrocities against women in various parts of the state.

“The appeasement politics of the TMC government has turned the state into a den of anti-social activities. It seems the ruling TMC and its goons have unleashed Taliban rule in the state,” BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said. She slammed Rehman, wondering whether the TMC has “imposed Sharia law in the state." Such comments by an elected representative are not only regressive but will also encourage others to take the law into their own hands, she said.

The Opposition also attacked the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, saying the incident was the latest in the breakdown of law and order in the state.

Minister of State at the Centre and BJP state president, Sukanta Majumdar said on X (formerly Twitter), “A summary trial and punishment by a local goon known as JCB under @AITCofficial’s watch. This is bulldozer justice. @MamataOfficial’s rule is deeply concerning, reminiscent of #KangarooCourt practices.”

Speaking to the Indian Express, Majumdar said, “This is like Taliban rule in Bengal. It is horrific how the man and the woman were beaten up mercilessly by TMC-backed goons. The man in the video is an associate of a TMC MLA. The administration and police are nowhere to be seen.”

BJP national president JP Nadda wrote in a post on X, “A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies. To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act. Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur or many other places, Didi’s West Bengal is UNSAFE for women.”

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said there was a “severe deterioration” in the law and order situation in West Bengal, and questioned the CM’s commitment to justice and governance.

Calling the incident “a grave violation of dignity and fundamental rights,” Bhatia said, “It is a shame that she (CM Banerjee) has not spoken a word on this. As a woman and a chief minister, she should be the first to come out and condemn this incident.”

“Law and order have completely collapsed in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee should resign as she can’t ensure the safety and security of citizens,” the BJP leader said.

CPM’s Mohammed Salim also condemned the incident and  said, “Not even #KangarooCourt! Summary trial and punishment handed out by @AITCofficial goon nicknamed JCB. Literally bulldozer justice at Chopra under @MamataOfficial rule.”

NHRC issues notice 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Monday that it has issued notices to the West Bengal government and the state’s police chief over reports that a couple was allegedly mercilessly beaten up in a village in Uttar Dinajpur district in full public view by a group of people.

The main perpetrator is allegedly associated with “the political party in power in West Bengal” and could be seen in a viral video, severely beating up the couple surrounded by a group of people as spectators, the NHRC said in a statement.

The rights panel, looking into the gravity of the issue, has also asked its Director General (Investigation) to “immediately constitute and send a team, headed by an officer, not below the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police, to visit the place of the incident to conduct an on-the-spot fact-finding inquiry in the matter and to submit a report to the Commission, at the earliest,” it said.

According to PTI, Governor CV Ananda Bose, who has had strained relations with the state government over various issues, expressed shock at the incident and described it as “barbarous,” according to a Raj Bhavan official.

“He condemned the incident and has requested an immediate report from CM Banerjee,” the official told the news agency.

The female victim takes a U-turn

The woman has reportedly taken a U-turn and said that the video was recorded without her permission. She has also filed a complaint against those who filmed her being beaten and sought action.

Speaking to India Today, the female victim said, “I don’t know who made my video viral. I have submitted a written complaint at the police station. Someone made that video viral without my permission. I have appealed to the police to ensure punishment against those who did it. I have full faith in the police.”

With inputs from agencies