For the past 2-3 weeks, constant protests have been taking place in the Sandeshkhali area of West Bengal’s North Parganas district over allegations of land grabbing and sexual assault against Trinamool Congress leaders Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibaprasad Hazra, and Uttam Sardar. Hazra and Sardar have been arrested; however, Shahjahan remains on the run since a team of ED was mob attacked as it arrived to raid his house on January 5.
After the incident, some reporters claimed that Shahjahan, who is alleged in the ration distribution scam, was inside the house when the ED members were being assaulted. The situation took an noticeable turn when women started protesting against Shahjahan and his companions for sexual harassment and land grabbing.
During the interview with the media, women narrated how they were summoned to the TMC office where Shahjahan and other men would harass them. They said that the TMC men would survey homes, and if they found any women, they would take them to their office and make them stay for many nights.
What is concerning in the incident is the response by the Mamata Banerjee government over police inaction on the villagers’ complaints that should concern us all.
Who is Shahjahan?
With a background as a trekker driver and a vegetable seller, Shahjahan entered politics in 2003 with the assistance of his uncle Moslem Sheikh, then a member of CPI(M). Through his philanthropic endeavors and employment initiatives, Shahjahan earned a huge following in his locality. It was in 2013 that he joined the TMC party under the influence of Jyotipriya Mallick. Later, he was implicated through Mallick’s payroll contact in the Ration Scam.”
Political Unrest in Sandeshkhali
The timing of the protests presents a strategic opportunity for the opposition, particularly with the Lok Sabha elections looming. The BJP’s growing presence in Bengal has rattled Banerjee’s stronghold, and the recent events in Sandeshkhali have only exacerbated tensions. Banerjee dismisses the voices advocating for women’s rights as ‘outsiders’, further polarizing the situation. In the midst of this domestic and external political chess game, the women of Sandeshkhali have become mere pawns, exploited for political gain.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence Over the Political rivalry or Communal Divides
Appearances have become a contentious issue in the Sandeshkhali uproar. Banerjee’s image has shifted from that of a protector to an enabler, while the opposition attempts to frame the incident according to their narrative.
Figures like BJP Minister Smriti Irani and IT cell chief Amit Malviya have sought to paint the incident as a communal conflict, although such efforts have largely failed. Local residents and analysts confirm that the issue transcends communal divides.
The Past Case From Nadia
Back in 2022, when a 14-year-old minor, while attending a birthday party, was raped and cremated without any autopsy, TMC asked questions about whether the case should be classified as rape. TMC leader Samar Goala, whose son Braja Gopal Goala was the prime accused in the case, was alleged to have put pressure on cremation without any autopsy.
After the incident, Mamata Banerjee asked, “This story they are showing, that a minor has died due to rape, will you call it a rape? Was she pregnant or having a love affair? Have they inquired? I have asked the police. They have made arrests. I was told the girl had an affair with the boy.”
Another statement by Banerjee was more surprising as it questions the difference between TMC and the BJP, which is seen as a regressive right-wing party. “It was a love affair, and that’s confirmed, as the family was aware of it. If a couple is in a relationship, can I stop it? This is not UP; we don’t do love jihad here. This is their personal freedom. But if there are any misdeeds, the police will arrest the culprits. One suspect has been arrested already.”
Will women lose to political games?
It is deeply saddening that a party that glorifies its belief in a progressive nation, equates itself with liberals, and seems to support women downplays accusations of atrocities against its own wrongdoing.
When accusations of gender-based violence and injustice emerge, it is essential for leaders to exhibit empathy, determination, and dedication to justice for all those impacted. While arrests have been carried out and CM Banerjee has pledged to address the issue, her involvement in political finger-pointing has detracted from the seriousness of the matter. There is a pressing demand for systemic reform, an aspect that the CM appears to overlook.
The story of Sandeshkhali extends beyond political rallies and committees. It underscores the urgent need to recognize Adivasi women as equal citizens and safeguard their rights. These women are doubly marginalized, often overlooked by the media, and exploited by political leaders.
As a female Chief Minister, Banerjee’s failure to unequivocally support these women perpetuates a system that enables gender-based violence. It serves as a crucial reminder of how women in positions of power can inadvertently reinforce patriarchal structures rather than dismantle them.
