The recent public flogging incident in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district sparked an outrage with Governor C.V. Ananda Bose seeking a report from CM Mamata Banerjee.
The main accused, Tajmul alias 'JCB', the man seen in the viral video beating up the couple with a bamboo stick was arrested last night. The accused is said to be TMC's local strongman.
Tajmul was remanded to five days of police custody after being produced before a local court.
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Hitting out at TMC, the BJP accused the party of "unleashing Taliban rule" in the state. The BJP alleged that Tajmul had ties to TMC’s Chopra MLA Hamidul Islam, who reportedly defended him despite the TMC's condemnation of the incident.
Accusing the couple, Islam said the couple were “engaging in an illicit relationship”. “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.
"The woman was at fault for getting involved in an illicit relationship despite having a son and husband. Is this not a crime? Is this not an immoral act?" Islam questioned.
Governor Bose expressed shock over the incident and described it as "barbarous".
Also, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the West Bengal government and the state's police chief over the incident.
The NHRC 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.
With the video going viral on social media, police registered a case on Sunday.
The BJP called for Mamata Banerjee's resignation on Monday over a "severe deterioration" in the state's law and order. A protest was staged by BJP women MLA in West Bengal on Monday as well.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said "Law and order have completely collapsed in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee should resign forthwith as she is unable to ensure the safety and security of citizens."
BJP president J.P. Nadda also slammed the TMC government alleging that West Bengal is unsafe under the present dispensation.
"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,” Nadda wrote on X.
"Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur or many other places, Didi's West Bengal is UNSAFE for women,” he added.
Meanwhile, senior TMC leader Shantanu Sen said that the state government is taking steps to address the situation.
"We do not support such incidents. The victims have been provided with security. Anyone else involved will also not be spared," said the TMC spokesperson.
