In a recent twist, a woman from Uttar Dinajpur district in West Bengal, who was seen in a viral video being beaten publicly along with a man, has claimed the footage was recorded without her permission.
The woman, now recovering in a government hospital, has lodged a complaint with the police. She is seeking action against those who filmed and shared the video. “I don’t know who made my video viral. I have submitted a written complaint at the police station against whoever made it viral. Someone made that video viral without my permission. I have appealed to the police to ensure punishment against those who did it. I have full faith in the police,” she stated.
The incident, which took place in the Chopra area, involved a man named Tajmul, also known as ‘JCB’, who is reportedly an aide of a local Trinamool Congress MLA. Tajmul, identified as the person beating the couple with a bamboo stick, was arrested on June 30 and is now in 5 days police custody.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing it of allowing “Taliban rule” in the state. BJP leaders have alleged that Tajmul has close ties to Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahaman, who, despite the party’s official condemnation, reportedly defended the attack. Union Minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar accused the police of collaborating with the state government. He claimed the attack was ordered by MLA Hamidul Rahaman. “There is a Talibani rule in West Bengal. There is a rise in mob lynching incidents starting from Cooch Behar to Chopra. Such incidents will go on and happen in front of the police. People have lost trust in the police. We can’t even see the police even through a microscope. This has been done on MLA Hamidul Rahaman’s orders,” Majumdar stated.
Governor CV Ananda Bose has demanded a report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the incident, describing it as “barbarous”. Governor Bose, currently in Delhi, plans to visit Chopra to meet the victims and will later report to the central government.
According to local sources, the public flogging was ordered by a kangaroo court due to allegations of an illicit relationship between the couple. Tajmul was allegedly notorious for holding such courts and extorting money. Hamidul Rahaman, the local MLA, justified the attack by accusing the couple of “polluting society” through their actions. “The couple was allegedly engaged in an illicit relationship, which is why they were beaten up. They were socially polluting society through their activities. The woman was at fault for getting involved in an illicit relationship despite having a son and husband. Is this not a crime? Is this not an immoral act?” Rahaman commented.
In response to the uproar, senior Trinamool Congress leader Shantanu Sen assured that the state government is addressing the issue. “We do not support such incidents. The victims have been provided with security. Anyone else involved will also not be spared,” he said.