West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday, August 16, denied allegations that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were involved in an attack on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez and his family in Bankura district.
The attack allegedly led to the death of Hafeez’s father, Janab Mafik, who suffered serious head injuries during the incident. The CJP had accused local BJP workers of attacking the family after Hafeez inspected a government school as part of its “School Thik Karo” campaign.
‘No BJP connection’: Suvendu Adhikari
Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Adhikari said those named in the FIR were criminals and would face action according to law.
“Of the five people against whom an FIR has been registered, three have already been arrested. The two others will also be held. There is no BJP connection here. They are all criminals. Action will be taken according to law,” Adhikari said.
The chief minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, said maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the state government.
“I am also the home minister. It is our duty to maintain law and order,” he said.
Adhikari added that police were searching for the remaining two accused named in the FIR. Five other people have also been detained for questioning, he said.
CJP alleges attack after school inspection
According to the CJP, Hafeez visited a government school in his village in the Karisunda area of Bankura on August 13 to assess its infrastructure under the party’s “School Thik Karo” campaign.
Hafeez alleged that he had asked a teacher for permission to document facilities such as toilets and drinking water. He claimed the teacher later informed local BJP workers about his visit.
“At around 8.30 pm on August 13, BJP workers came to our house and assaulted us,” Hafeez alleged.
The CJP claimed that the attackers demanded that Hafeez apologise for highlighting the school’s condition and say that he had conducted the inspection under outside influence.
Hafeez also alleged that he was attacked with a sharp weapon and suffered a serious neck injury. He later left for Kolkata citing concerns for his safety.
“By chance, by luck I was saved,” Hafeez said in a video.
His father, Mafik, suffered severe head injuries and was admitted to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital. He died on Saturday night, according to the CJP.
BJP leaders call for investigation
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said the allegations should be investigated by the police and action taken if they are established.
“If such an incident has taken place, an FIR should be registered, and the police should investigate it,” Majumdar said.
He also questioned whether the incident could have resulted from a local dispute.
BJP state minister Agnimitra Paul said the party would not protect anyone found guilty.
“If someone has done something like this, action will be taken against that person,” Paul said, adding that those responsible would be treated as criminals.
“We will not tolerate such incidents. Strict action will be taken,” she said.
The CJP, meanwhile, has demanded an impartial investigation and the arrest of those responsible for Mafik’s death. Its founder and national convener Abhijeet Dipke said the organisation would continue its campaign for better government schools.
“We will not be silenced and intimidated. We will keep fighting for better schools,” Dipke said.
The allegations of BJP involvement have been denied by the BJP leadership, while the police investigation into the incident is underway.
