A couple was publicly whipped by a TMC worker in West Bengal, leading the opposition to criticize Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration, likening it to “Taliban-like rule.” The incident occurred on June 28 in the Lakhipur gram panchayat area of Chopra block, Uttar Dinajpur district. A video of the assault surfaced online, showing a man and a woman being whipped with a broom by Tajimul Islam, a local TMC functionary known as JCB, during a kangaroo court session.
The police swiftly arrested Tajimul Islam and initiated a suo motu case. The victims, who are reportedly too terrified to file a complaint, were provided police security. Islampur SP, Joby Thomas K, confirmed the police’s prompt response and ongoing investigation.
Opposition leaders, including BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar and national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, condemned the incident, calling it “bulldozer justice” and reminiscent of Taliban brutality. CPM’s Md Salim also criticized the TMC for the kangaroo court’s actions.
In response, TMC officials stated that the couple’s extramarital affair led to the salishi sabha but condemned the violence. TMC district president Kanaiyalal Agarwal and MLA Hamidul Rehman distanced the party from Tajimul Islam, while TMC leader Santanu Sen pointed out similar incidents in BJP-ruled states, urging the police to complete their investigation.
