Kolkata: The father of a CJP volunteer has died after allegedly being beaten inside his home in Bankura, West Bengal, following a campaign highlighting the poor condition of a government school. CJP has alleged that BJP workers were behind the attack, intensifying political tensions over the incident.
CJP volunteer Sheikh Abdul Hafeez had visited Karisunda Primary School, where he had studied, last Thursday as part of the organisation's 'School Theek Karo' campaign. After recording videos showing the school's poor condition, a group allegedly surrounded his house at around 8 pm and attacked him and his elderly father, Janab Mafik. Hafeez alleged that the attackers seized his phone and forced him to delete the videos.
Both men were taken to a government hospital, but Mafik died on Saturday after sustaining serious injuries. Hafeez said the attackers used sharp weapons and blades and that he and his father were threatened at the hospital and police station, allegedly with further violence if they recorded similar videos again.
CJP founder Abhijit Deepke and co-convener Ashutosh Ranka condemned the attack, accusing BJP workers of targeting Hafeez and his father for raising concerns about government schools. They demanded immediate arrests and said a CJP team would visit West Bengal to press for justice, while also criticising the state police.
BJP spokesperson Keya Ghosh said the party would take strict action if a police investigation establishes the involvement of its workers, while accusing the Trinamool Congress and Left of attempting to malign the BJP. Bankura SP V.G. Satish Pashumarthy said police reached the spot, moved the injured to the hospital and detained suspects. No FIR had been registered as the police awaited a written complaint from the family.
CJP volunteer Sheikh Abdul Hafeez's father died after being beaten inside his home by BJP workers, according to allegations