A West Bengal man’s father has died after allegedly being attacked following concerns raised over the condition of government schools in Bankura, according to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The organisation has alleged that the attackers were linked to the BJP and accused the police of failing to protect the family.
CJP members said Abdul, a resident of Karisunda village under Indus police station, had visited and surveyed government schools in the area, including the school where he had studied. They alleged that he was subsequently threatened and intimidated.
CJP alleges attack after school survey
According to CJP, Abdul had shared a video claiming that he was assaulted for conducting a survey of government schools in his area. CJP member Ratna Singh had earlier alleged that around 100–150 people, whom she described as alleged BJP supporters, surrounded Abdul’s house and prevented him and his family from leaving.
“Abdul in West Bengal is being harassed and criminally intimidated by 100–150 alleged BJP goons after he posted a video last night alleging that he was assaulted for conducting a survey of government schools in his area,” Singh said in a post.
She further alleged that the group had “gheraoed his house” and was intimidating the family.
“Local police officials have reportedly refused to take action,” Singh claimed, urging the West Bengal Police to intervene.
Father dies after sustaining head injuries
Singh later said Abdul’s father had suffered serious head injuries during an alleged attack and died after his condition deteriorated.
“Abdul’s father sustained serious head injuries yesterday after he was attacked by RW goons. His condition turned critical today, and I have just received the heartbreaking news that he has passed away,” Singh said.
She questioned the role of the BJP and the West Bengal Police, asking, “Is this how BJP Bengal and WB Police are functioning?”
Singh also alleged that the police had failed to provide protection to the family.
“When a family is under threat and the police fail to provide protection, accountability cannot be avoided,” she said. “The police must answer for their failure to protect the family as they are equally liable.”
She also appealed to senior lawyers to assist Abdul and his family.
CJP demands arrests
CJP member Abhijet Dipke condemned the alleged attack and said the organisation would stand with Abdul.
“Abdul went to inspect the government school in Bengal where he once studied. He lost his father after they were attacked by goons, allegedly from the BJP, for speaking up about the poor condition of government schools,” Dipke said.
“It makes my blood boil that people are being murdered simply for demanding better schools,” he added.
Dipke said CJP was demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the death and would send a team to West Bengal.
“CJP stands firmly with Abdul and his family. We demand the immediate arrest of those responsible for his father’s death,” he said. “A CJP team will visit West Bengal and ensure that Abdul and his family get justice.”
He also said the alleged intimidation would not stop the organisation from raising issues concerning government schools.
“We are not going to back off. Attack our members, threaten us, try to intimidate us, we will only fight harder,” Dipke said. “We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We will keep fighting for better schools.”
