On Thursday, a group of BJP members in Durgapur, West Bengal, beat four Muslim cattle traders, tied their hands, and paraded them publicly while forcing them to hold their ears—a form of public humiliation. The traders were accused of transporting 20 “smuggled” cows in a mini-truck, despite possessing valid documents proving the legal purchase of the animals from a cattle market in Bankura.
The persecuted men, all residents and voters of Jemua village near Durgapur, were further branded as Bangladeshis by the vigilantes, a claim they vehemently denied, presenting documentation to confirm their Indian citizenship.
Shockingly, the assault occurred just 200 meters from the local police station in the Gammon area under the Coke Oven police jurisdiction. Police have since arrested two individuals connected to the incident.
“Two persons belonging to the minority community, while carrying cattle for farming purpose, were detained and severely beaten up yesterday in Durgapur by some hooligans belonging to a particular political party. A case has been registered over the incident and two of the miscreants have already been arrested. Raids are on to apprehend all those involved,” the West Bengal Police said in a statement.
“None will be spared. Nothing and no one will be allowed to dent our state’s tradition of inclusivity and harmony. We always have, and always will, demonstrate zero tolerance for religious bigotry of any kind. Let that message be loud and clear.”
Local BJP leader Parijat Ganguly, who supervised the vigilante action, claimed that the group intervened to stop cattle smuggling, accusing the traders of colluding with the police and ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). He denied physically assaulting the men or confiscating their cash and documents, attributing the violence to “local people” angered by the smuggling.
The incident sparked outrage from TMC leaders, who condemned it as an example of “Bengali-phobia” and divisive politics promoted by the BJP. Pandabeswar MLA Narendranath Chakraborty, representing the TMC, visited the traders, assured them of justice, and lodged a police complaint against Ganguly and his associates. Chakraborty criticized the police for failing to intervene despite the proximity and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits, threatening protests if no action was taken within 24 hours.
The Durgapur police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Sources within the Bengal BJP acknowledged the incident’s negative impact amid ongoing efforts to portray the party as less hardline. They indicated disciplinary action might be taken against Ganguly to distance the party from such extremist acts.
