Bangla Pokkho Linked to Assault on Bihar Students in West Bengal

Incident Overview

In a disturbing incident that has sparked widespread outrage and a political row, two students from Bihar were assaulted by a group of men linked to the Bangla Pokkho organization in Siliguri, West Bengal. The students had traveled to Siliguri to take part in a Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment exam.

The Assault

A video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, shows the two students being forcefully awakened in their room by a group of men. The group, who claimed to be from the police and later identified as members of Bangla Pokkho, interrogated the students in Bengali about their origins. Upon learning that the students were from Bihar, the group escalated their aggression, questioning how they could attend an exam in West Bengal if they were not residents of the state. Despite the students explaining that they had been assigned to the Siliguri exam center, the group insisted on seeing their documents and accused them of using fake domicile certificates.

Harassment and Physical Abuse

The students, identified as Ankit Yadav and another companion, were subjected to physical abuse and humiliation. They were forced to perform sit-ups and squats, and were warned never to return to West Bengal for examinations. The group also forced them to hold their ears and pressured them into agreeing to return to Bihar.

Arrests and Police Action

Following the incident, the Bagdogra police under the Siliguri Police Commissionerate arrested two individuals, Rajat Bhattacharya and Giridhari Roy, who are linked to Bangla Pokkho. The police confirmed that the accused had falsely claimed to be Intelligence Bureau officials and had harassed the students.

Bangla Pokkho's Claims and Justification

Bangla Pokkho, a group that advocates for the dominance of Bengali culture and language, has been involved in previous campaigns targeting non-Bengalis, particularly those from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Rajat Bhattacharya, one of the arrested individuals, claimed that they had information about students from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh using fake domicile certificates to apply for government jobs in West Bengal. He justified their actions by stating that they wanted to catch the students "red-handed" before involving the police.

Political Reactions

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Union Ministers and political leaders. Union Minister Giriraj Singh condemned the Mamata Banerjee-led government, accusing it of extending a "red carpet" welcome to Rohingya Muslims while allowing students from Bihar to be assaulted. Singh questioned whether the Mamata government had taken the contract of "only saving rapists".

Union Minister Chirag Paswan also condemned the incident, calling it "unfortunate and condemnable." Paswan questioned the silence of the opposition and asked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to investigate the matter thoroughly and take legal action against the culprits.

TMC's Response

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) responded by stating that candidates from other states have always been welcome in West Bengal and that the incident was a "stray local incident" of harassment. TMC leaders claimed that there was a larger issue of an inter-state racket involving fake domicile certificates, which they alleged was being ignored by local police.

Bihar Police's Action

Bihar Police have written to the West Bengal Police seeking additional security for examinees from Bihar. Bihar Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Singh requested adequate security for the students featured in the viral video and urged the West Bengal Police to provide an update on the inquiry into the matter.

Conclusion

The assault on Bihar students by members of Bangla Pokkho has highlighted deep-seated tensions and allegations of discrimination against non-Bengali residents in West Bengal. The incident has sparked a significant political row, with calls for thorough investigations and legal action against the perpetrators. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the West Bengal government will address these concerns and ensure the safety and rights of students from other states.