In the peaceful town of Shantipur, West Bengal, there's rising unease among the villagers. They allege that a local supporter of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party is involved in grave acts of sexual harassment. This troubling situation is unfolding within the broader context of a dispute over land, involving other local leaders from the TMC as well. The recent developments echo the notorious events that occurred in Sandeshkhali, where similar allegations had surfaced.

The community's concerns have reached the ears of Jagannath Sarkar, the BJP candidate from Ranaghat, who has raised the issue with authorities multiple times. Despite these efforts, the accused, who assert their affiliations with the dominant TMC party, have not faced any consequences. This series of events took place under the jurisdiction of the Shantipur police station, specifically in the Karimpur locality of the Bagchapur gram panchayat.

The gravity of the situation has drawn attention to a notable TMC leader from Nadia district, spotlighting his alleged involvement in the exploitation of women and contribution to a tense, fearful atmosphere reminiscent of Sandeshkhali. A media outlet, Calcutta News, has named Pradip Sarkar as the implicated TMC leader. According to local residents, Sarkar has been approaching women in their homes during the day and harassing them. This series of allegations paints a grim picture of abuse and fear, casting a shadow over the community of Shantipur.

A woman from the village shared a harrowing account, "He enters our homes, clicks pictures and spreads them around. He also warns us about releasing the images on the internet. If we object, then, he threatens to murder our husbands." These allegations suggest a terrifying breach of privacy and safety for the families involved.

Further compounding the fear within the community, another woman expressed her dread, recounting, "We are in a state of terror." It seems that the villagers believe that there is a collaboration between the police and the district administration with the accused leader of the Trinamool Congress, which adds a layer of helplessness to their plight.

Echoing this sentiment, one of the victims pointed out the brazen confidence of the accused, "He (Pradip Sarkar) openly tells us that the thana (police station) and court are in his pockets and that our complaints will have no bearing on him." This statement reflects a grim reality where the villagers feel that their avenues for justice are severely obstructed.

Local resident Sahdeb Das voiced his frustration over the inaction from the authorities, "Nothing has been done against the accused so far." This lack of response has left the villagers in a continuous state of distress.

Adding a historical perspective to the issue, BJP leader Rohit Jan noted, "The problem has been going on for the past 4 years." He compared the current situation to past atrocities, recalling the harmful actions of TMC individuals Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates Uttam Sardar and Shibu Prasad Hazra in Sandeshkhali village. This comparison draws a parallel to previous incidents of violence and misconduct, highlighting a repeating pattern of behavior within the party's ranks.

On a recent Sunday, the 21st of April, Jagannath Sarkar, the BJP Member of Parliament representing the Ranaghat constituency, took the time to meet with the women of Shantipur to hear their distressing experiences firsthand. During this meeting, he made a bold statement, declaring, "This (harassment of women) is being done at the behest of Mamata Banerjee. So I demand her removal from office." This accusation directly involves the highest levels of state leadership and reflects the severity of the issue as perceived by the opposition.

In response to the ongoing harassment, angered and concerned locals took formal action by lodging an official complaint against the accused at the local police station. However, even after 72 hours had elapsed since filing the complaint, the accused was reportedly still freely roaming the area. This situation has exacerbated the community's fears, as he allegedly continues to intimidate those who have complained, threatening them with dire consequences.

The state government, perhaps in response to the mounting public pressure and the seriousness of the allegations, visited Shantipur on the same Sunday. They met with the affected women and assured them of decisive action against the accused, promising that justice would be served soon.

Amid these promises, a local resident named Sanjeev Sarkar shared his disturbing encounter, alleging, "A few days ago, the accused intruded into my house after dark and attempted to mistreat women. He is associated with the TMC, hence the administration refrains from taking action against him." This account adds to the narrative of fear and lawlessness that seems to have gripped the village, suggesting a reluctance or inability of local authorities to confront those affiliated with the ruling party.

The government has leveled serious accusations against the officer in charge of the Shantipur police station. They allege that his close ties with the accused have allowed the latter to avoid arrest for a considerable length of time. The government has issued a stern warning, stating that if immediate action is not taken to apprehend the accused, they will organize protests in the upcoming days. This threat of public action underscores the community's frustration and determination to see justice served.

In a statement reflecting the political complexity of the situation, TMC MLA Braj Kishor Goswami from Shantipur commented on the allegations, saying, "It is unfortunate if such incidents occur with women. I also want the culprits to be arrested. However, I would also like to point out that the concerned Panchayat is governed by the BJP. The Panchayat head must be concerned about this issue. I will look into the matter." His remarks suggest a desire for justice, albeit with a hint at political rivalry, indicating that the responsibility for oversight might lie with the local governance currently under the BJP's control.

Adding another layer to the ongoing situation, Ranaghat Police Superintendent Kumar Saniraj revealed, "A complaint was also lodged by the accused's family. We have received complaints from both sides. Efforts are being made to politicize the case unnecessarily. The matter is under investigation." His statement hints at a complicated scenario where the police are caught between competing narratives and accusations of political motivations clouding the pursuit of justice.

Turmoil in Sandeshkhali

The village of Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal has recently been spotlighted due to distressing events. It has come to light that multiple women were subjected to severe abuses by former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates, Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. The offenses reported against these men include sexual violence and aggressive land grabbing, deeply troubling the local community.

Fed up with the ongoing injustice, a group of courageous women decided to take action into their own hands. They gathered their strength and surrounded the local police station in a form of protest known as 'gherao'. This direct action by the women highlighted their determination to seek justice and forced the authorities to respond to their grievances.

The persistence and bravery of these women eventually paid off, as their protest led to the arrest of the three men referred to derogatorily as "TMC goons." This development was a significant outcome for the community, bringing some measure of relief to those affected.

However, the response to the incidents by high-ranking officials has been controversial. OpIndia reported on the approach of the Trinamool Congress, under the leadership of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which has seemingly attempted to minimize the severity of the sexual violence incidents in Sandeshkhali. Additionally, TMC MLA Udayan Guha's remarks on 29th February, where he seemingly trivialized the sexual exploitation as merely 'eating pie (Pitha khaowa)' and 'mischief (Dushtami)', sparked further outrage and disbelief among the victims and the wider community. These comments have added to the turmoil, painting a picture of a deeply divided response to the serious allegations and the suffering of the women in Sandeshkhali.

In the wake of the serious allegations from Sandeshkhali, TMC spokesperson Jui Biswas has controversially responded by denying the sexual violence claims. She has demanded "video footage of rapes" as evidence, a statement that has caused considerable distress and anger among advocates for the victims. This demand for video proof is seen by many as an insensitive and impractical approach to such grave accusations.

Further complicating the public discourse, journalist Sagarika Ghose, who has recently received a Rajya Sabha seat from the TMC, downplayed the turmoil in Sandeshkhali. She described the situation as merely a "local land dispute," trivializing the severity of the unrest and the suffering reported by the villagers, particularly the women.

The issue of denial extends to other prominent figures in the TMC as well. TMC Minister Partha Bhowmick has also dismissed the accusations of sexual violence by the women of Sandeshkhali as "fake." His dismissal came amidst ongoing reports of abuse, adding to the frustration and despair of the affected community.

Adding to the controversy, Rachna Banerjee, an actress turned TMC candidate from Hooghly, expressed skepticism last month about the sexual violence reports. Her remarks have been perceived as casting doubt on the legitimacy of the victims' experiences, further inflaming tensions.

A video that surfaced last month featuring Kolkata Mayor and TMC MLA Firham Hakim has added to the controversy. In the video, Hakim engages in whataboutery concerning the plight of the women of Sandeshkhali. He mocked the attention the village was receiving by saying, "Now, you know that one 'khali' is grabbing all headlines. What 'Khali'? Ah, Sandeshkhali. It is everywhere." This statement, seen as making light of the serious issues faced by the villagers, has been widely criticized for its lack of sensitivity and understanding.