PM Alleges Trinamool’s Attempt to Shield Sandeshkhali Accused Sheikh Shahjahan in Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress regarding the Sandeshkhali incident, accusing the party of shielding its leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who faces allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing and has been arrested as a result.

Speaking at an event in Arambagh, West Bengal, PM Modi questioned whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee values the votes of certain individuals over the plight of women in Sandeshkhali. He also criticized the silence of leaders from the opposition INDIA alliance on the matter.

PM Modi referred to the Trinamool Congress’ slogan of ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’ (Mother, Land, and People), stating in Hindi that the actions of the party in Sandeshkhali contradict their professed values, causing sorrow and anger nationwide. He invoked the legacy of social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, suggesting that such behaviour would sadden him deeply.

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Highlighting the audacity of a Trinamool leader towards women in Sandeshkhali and alleging that Mamata Banerjee and the Bengal government attempted to shield him, PM Modi credited the pressure exerted by BJP leaders for the eventual arrest of the accused by the Bengal Police.

PM Modi emphasized the need for accountability, suggesting that efforts were made to protect Shahjahan during his two-month-long evasion. He urged people to respond to every injustice with their votes, stating, “Every injury must be answered with a vote.”

Attacks on INDIA

As the Lok Sabha elections draw nearer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed his criticism towards leaders of the INDIA alliance, likening their inaction to Gandhi’s famous “three monkeys” who see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. He questioned the alliance’s failure to confront Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or the Bengal government regarding the Sandeshkhali issue despite holding meetings in various cities like Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.

PM Modi highlighted a previous incident where a Congress delegation was barred from visiting Sandeshkhali, prompting Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to label Mamata Banerjee as the “Bengali queen of cruelty” and accuse her of defending Sheikh Shahjahan earlier. PM Modi also criticized Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for allegedly dismissing the seriousness of the situation by remarking that such incidents were commonplace in Bengal, deeming it an insult to the state, its people, and its traditions.

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In a scathing assessment, PM Modi characterized the Congress and the INDIA alliance as proponents of corruption, appeasement politics, and dynasty rule. He accused them of aligning with individuals who endorse these practices, underscoring their primary objective as supporting those who perpetuate such ideologies.

Arrest, Suspension

Sheikh Shahjahan, a prominent figure within the Trinamool Congress, was apprehended on Thursday following allegations from women in Sandeshkhali implicating him and his associates in cases of sexual assault and land appropriation. Shahjahan had been evading authorities since January 5 when an Enforcement Directorate team encountered resistance from a mob while conducting a raid at his residence in connection with an alleged ration scam.

The arrest, linked to the violent confrontation with the enforcement team, occurred shortly after the Calcutta High Court criticized the Bengal police for failing to take action against Shahjahan despite his evasion.

The Trinamool Congress moved swiftly following the court’s remarks, asserting that Shahjahan was apprehended promptly after the court clarified that there were no legal impediments to his arrest. Consequently, the party suspended him for six years on Thursday, distancing itself from his actions.