The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday, August 16, demanded the immediate arrest of those allegedly responsible for an attack that led to the death of Janab Mafik, father of CJP volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez, in West Bengal’s Bankura district.
According to the CJP, 25-year-old Hafeez was attacked after inspecting a government school as part of the organisation’s “School Thik Karo” campaign. His father died on Saturday, August 15, after suffering serious head injuries during the alleged assault at their home.
CJP alleges attack over school inspection
The incident reportedly took place in Karisunda village after Hafeez visited a local government school on August 13 to assess its infrastructure under the “School Thik Karo” campaign.
The CJP alleged that armed men identified as local BJP workers entered Hafeez’s home later that day. According to the organisation, Hafeez said in a video recorded from hospital that a teacher had informed the men about his inspection of the school.
The alleged attackers then demanded that Hafeez record an apology for highlighting the school’s poor condition and say that he had carried out the inspection under outside influence, the CJP claimed.
“When Hafeez refused to comply, the individuals allegedly launched a violent assault on his family,” the organisation said.
Hafeez later recorded a video from hospital showing his injuries and reportedly left for Kolkata because of concerns over his safety. He alleged that an attacker tried to strike him on the neck with a sharp weapon.
“By chance, by luck I was saved,” Hafeez said, according to the CJP. He also appealed for help, saying, “They are threatening to kill us, please help me.”
The CJP said Hafeez suffered a serious neck injury, while his father sustained critical head injuries. Mafik later died from his injuries on August 15.
‘We will not be silenced’: CJP
CJP founder and national convener Abhijeet Dipke said the organisation would continue to support Hafeez and his family.
“We will not be silenced and intimidated. We will keep fighting for better schools,” Dipke said.
“CJP stands firmly with Abdul and his family. We demand the immediate arrest of those responsible for his father’s death. Our CJP team will visit West Bengal and ensure that Abdul and his family get justice,” he added.
The “School Thik Karo” campaign seeks to highlight problems in government school infrastructure and education by encouraging citizens to visit schools, assess their condition and raise concerns publicly.
CJP seeks impartial probe
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das also demanded immediate police action.
“We are very concerned for Abdul. His father has died at the hands of goons who allegedly belong to the BJP. What was his crime? That he planned on conducting a social audit of his local government school,” Das said.
“Abdul, the entire CJP family is with you. We will not rest until those goons are brought to justice,” he added.
The CJP alleged that no medico-legal case was initiated and no FIR was registered after the initial assault. It called for an impartial investigation into the attack, Mafik’s death and the alleged failure to initiate legal proceedings.
The organisation has urged the Indas police station to arrest those accused and ensure the safety of Hafeez and his family.
A CJP National Working Committee delegation led by co-convener Ashutosh Ranka will visit West Bengal to express solidarity with the family and seek justice, according to the organisation.
The allegations against the accused, including the alleged BJP connection, have not been independently verified. A response from the BJP or West Bengal Police was not included in the CJP statement.
