The latest assault on women leaders in Shasan area of Barasat in W. Bengal reveals the contemptible levels to which the TMC is willing to stoop, in its hankering for power. Barasat is already in the news as an epicentre of atrocities against women. On June 27th, 2013, an all –women march campaigning for CPI(M) Zilla Parishad candidate Nuri Begum was attacked by Trinamul hooligans. Ex-Minister of the state and AIDWA leader Rekha Goswami, senior leaders like Romola Chakrabarty, Soma Das, and others in the rally were brutally assaulted by TMC goondas. The procession was attacked from all sides, so that the women were trapped and could not run to safety. 19 women were badly injured and were admitted to hospital. Soma Das had to be admitted to a nursing home in Kolkata. The assailants were also trying to locate the candidate, so as to cause her further injury. Majid Master, husband of Nur Begum, along with family, had to flee their home, fearing further violence.
Shamefully, the police stood by as mere spectators. No action has been taken against TMC Minister Jyotipriya Mallik’s whose hate speech reportedly provoked his partymen to lead the attack. AIDWA condemns the alarming breakdown of law and order in the state, under Ms. Mamta Bannerjee. In fact, the CM has turned a blind eye to the unleashing of physical attacks scores of candidates in the forthcoming panchayat elections.
AIDWA expresses dismay at this trend of violent attacks being unleashed on women activists in W. Bengal, in an attempt to undermine the democratic process of panchayat elections. Many candidates are being forcibly prevented from filing their nominations, and women, who would now form 50% of the elected bodies, are being targeted and harassed across the state. AIDWA activists have been among the worst affected as they have always played an integral part in this democratic process. A significant section are dalit, tribal and minority women. The list of victims keeps growing at an alarming rate every day. (Please see attachment) In the district of Bardhman alone, 175 women were prevented from filing their nominations. Other districts like Paschim Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur,Howrah, South Dinajpur, also reflect this trend. The destruction of a democratic structure that held pride of place internationally and nationally cannot be and should not be tolerated. AIDWA calls on democratic forces across the country to raise their voice to oppose this assault on grassroots democracy.
AIDWA demands :-
- stringent action against all those who indulged in the violence. The police must be held to task for not providing requisite security.
- immediate stop to the intimidatory tactics being employed by the TMC to subvert the democratic process.
- panchayat elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner in W. Bengal.
AIDWA calls for protest demonstrations by its units across the country against this assault on its leaders, and the undermining of the political process of panchayat elections in W. Bengal.
