PM slams WB govt over Sandeshkhali, says those considering themselves to be progressive women leaders have kept mum

The remarks by PM Modi came while he was replying to the debate on 'motion of thanks' on the President's address in the Rajya Sabha.

He said, "The pictures of the Sandeshkhali incident are spine-chilling, but the pain is not reflected even in the words of the big leaders whom I have been listening to since yesterday. What can be a bigger picture of shame than this?"

Without taking any names, Modi added further, "Those who consider themselves progressive women leaders have also kept mum because the incident is related to the party or state associated with their political life."

Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, had been in a political storm after villagers, mostly women, came out on the streets against the ruling TMC and its strongman Shahjahan, accusing him and his aides of "land-grab and sexual assault" under coercion. He was later arrested. Both BJP and Trinamool Congress have been levelling charges against each other over Sandeshkhali.

The Prime Minister also spoke on the matter of the reported beating of a couple in public by a group of people allegedly associated with a political party in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur.

He said, "I am not speaking against any state nor am I speaking to settle any political score. Some time ago, I saw some pictures from Bengal on social media. A woman is being beaten up in public on the road and is screaming. The people standing there are not coming to her aid, they are making videos."

PM Modi further asserted that the selective attitude of the opposition towards the atrocities against women is worrying. "It is the misfortune of the country that when politics takes place on sensitive issues, the countrymen and especially women suffer unimaginable pain," he added.

According to the media report carried out on June 30, 2024, the allegations of a love affair between the victim couple were discussed in an open meeting (Panchayat) by the annoyed villagers after the miscreants started beating the duo.

Reportedly, the main perpetrator is alleged to be associated with the political party in power in West Bengal and could be seen in the viral video severely beating up the couple, surrounded by a gathering of people as spectators. (ANI)