Couple whipped in public by TMC worker, Opp targets Mamata

The ruling TMC in West Bengal came under attack Sunday from the Opposition BJP and CPM after a TMC functionary was captured on tape whipping and assaulting a woman and a man publicly over an alleged extramarital affair at a salishi sabha (kangaroo court) in scenes that the Opposition said were reminiscent of Taliban dispensation of justice.

The incident took place in the Lakhipur gram panchayat area of Chopra block in Uttar Dinajpur district on June 28. Outrage mounted after a video clip of the assault surfaced online.

Tajimul Islam, identified as the one who is mercilessly whipping the man and the woman after they are dragged into the sabha ringed by people, is a TMC functionary who is known to all in the area as JCB.

Earlier, Joby Thomas K, Islampur SP, 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.”A videograb of the incident on June 28.

The video clip shows a woman clad in a yellow kurta and a man in shirt-and-trousers, surrounded by a group of men. Thrown to the ground, they are screaming and pleading for mercy as they are whipped with a broom. A man in a black T-shirt – identified as Tajimul Islam – appears to be leading the assault.

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

Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State at the Centre and BJP state president, in a post on X, said, “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.”

Majumdar told The Indian Express, “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.”

Meanwhile, BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda wrote 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.”

Under fire, 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 Tajimul did. I have heard that police have started a case. We will also probe the role of the party worker.”

Hamidul Rehman, TMC MLA from Chopra, said, “The accused, the man you are referring to in the video, holds no party portfolios. Everyone in Chopra is a Trinamool Congress worker. There is no Opposition.”

Levelling allegations at the woman victim, Rehman said, “That’s why the salishi sabha was called. But the locals did a bit too much to them. This is not acceptable. We have rebuked them.”

TMC leader TMC 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 court 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.”