West Bengal women traumatised by TMC honchos; Shame on Mamata

Editor,
In the calm villages of Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, a terrifying narrative is emerging. It’s indeed harrowing tales of numerous women enduring consistent sexual exploitation and abuse by a TMC leader, his aides and party members.
What is shocking is that the ruling TMC government, instead of standing up for the hapless victims, has been shielding the criminals. Many claim that government machinery, including the police, has devised devious plans to spread misinformation or “suppress” the truth. It is unthinkable that the very institutions meant to protect the citizens have become instruments of their oppression.
One victim, in a deep sense of agony, recounts her nightmare — “TMC members brought me into the party office, where a group of people were drinking. For the next one and half days, two of them sexually tortured me in the party office itself. I was told that my husband would not ‘take me back’ after this and so I should stay on with the men in the room – that they would give me a government job eventually. They said they would place my husband’s severed head on my palms if I complained about what they had done to me”; (as reported by THE WIRE with inputs by a journalist Joydeep Sarkar).
Another woman says that any woman found beautiful by TMC leaders and members would be called to the party office on the pretext of a meeting of the Self-Help Group, and leaders would take turns to rape her. This fact has been going on for at least 2 years. There are also several cases of forceful land grabbing by the TMC leader and his aides in the villages Sandeshkhali. These are just a few examples – the tip of the iceberg!
Can we imagine how scared and frustrated people in the area must be? Another shocker is that some of the victims who were sexually abused were “abandoned” by their husbands and families. Can we genuinely empathize with their plight and anguish now? Practically, as reported by national media, those victims who wish to seek police help are being silenced, and also are intimidated. Moreover, police beat houses do not entertain FIRs against the TMC members. The hope for justice for victimized women is a far cry.
In the face of mounting evidence and public fear and outcry, the National Commission for Women laments, “Our inquiry committee found that the victims in West Bengal are being threatened by local police, deterring them from coming out and reporting instances of sexual and physical harassment. Victims also recounted instances of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by both police officers and members of the TMC.”
Following the distressing development in Sandeshkhali, a Supreme Court lawyer Alakh Alok Shrivastava took a decisive step on February 15 last. He filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, requesting a thorough investigation into the horrific incidents that have shaken the region. Given the recent deliberate attack by TMC supporters on the officials of the Enforcement Directorate, and the main accused being TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, Shrivastava has insisted on fair investigation, either by the Special Investigation Team or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
One disillusioned police officer who is a relative of my very close friend from Kolkata informed me under condition of anonymity over the phone that police power in most of the districts in West Bengal has been curtailed and they are unable to take action against certain nefarious elements if they are associated with TMC. These same facts have recently been reiterated by the Governor of West Bengal. Upon hearing the stories of the victimized women and their relatives in Sandeshkhali, the governor C. V. Ananda Bose became deeply emotional and burst in anger, “What I saw was ghastly, shocking, shattering to my senses. I saw something which I should never have seen; I heard many things that I should never have heard. I cannot believe this could happen in Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore’s land,”
One wonders what sense people make of the increasing heinous criminality in West Bengal. It is totally unpardonable and barbaric that the leaders who solicit votes with lofty promises later exploit vulnerable women for their carnal pleasure and the Chief Minister immediately looks for ways to defend the criminals. How could we claim that we live in the most civilized age of 21st century? Here I sincerely hope that my friend from Kolkata, Sujit De, who prolifically writes on the menace of poverty, gender discrimination, misgovernance, and decline of democracy, would not shy away from speaking out against sadistic atrocities inflicted upon women in his home state. Perhaps he is now thinking where to start from! Yes, if we cannot shed tears for women in grief, we waste our life in vain.
Incidentally, what do our TMC leaders in Meghalaya have to say about the increasing brutality, sadism, and barbarism of TMC leaders/members in West Bengal? Is Didi’s outright deviation from the commitment of good governance still a pull factor? It certainly calls for a serious soul-searching. How we wish that our state’s leaders would follow the “leader of integrity” who believes in humanity and selfless service. For every “misstep” by a leader, the state will invariably have to pay the price.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali
Via email
Technical Woes & Communication Lapses afflict PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Editor,
The much-touted PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at providing free electricity to households, is now under scrutiny as numerous citizens report persistent issues during the registration process. Many individuals, including this concerned citizen, have experienced a recurring error message that reads, “Error in uploading file, try later,” raising concerns about the authenticity and functionality of the registration platform.
Despite repeated attempts by users throughout the day, the registration portal appears to be plagued by technical glitches, preventing citizens from successfully enrolling in the scheme. The error message has left many frustrated and skeptical about the legitimacy of the initiative.
Several affected individuals, who reached out to the customer support helpline, claim to have received little to no assistance in resolving the issue. In addition to the technical hurdles faced by citizens attempting to register for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the lack of transparency and communication from the government has intensified concerns among the affected individuals. As users grapple with the persistent error, the absence of clear information regarding the nature of the problem or any estimated resolution timeline has fuelled frustration and deepened skepticism.
The government’s failure to provide timely updates or address the issues raised by concerned citizens has led to a sense of abandonment among those attempting to enrol in the initiative. This apparent disregard for the grievances expressed through customer support channels has further eroded public confidence in the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Moreover, the silence from government officials on the ongoing registration problems has given rise to speculation and conspiracy theories among the affected individuals. Rumours circulating on social media platforms only serve to amplify the uncertainty, contributing to a climate of distrust around the entire program.
As citizens continue to grapple with the registration challenges, it is imperative for the government to not only address the technical glitches promptly but also to communicate openly and transparently with the public. Timely updates, clarification on the nature of the issues, and a commitment to resolving them will go a long way in restoring faith in the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and ensuring that it fulfils its intended purpose of providing free electricity to households. This lack of responsiveness has only added to the growing suspicion that the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and many more other schemes, might be a possible fraud;a poorly executed government program or an election propaganda of the BJP.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email