A long-standing dispute over water drainage between two neighbours ended with a woman allegedly being stripped and paraded naked for about 300 meters in Nandigram, West Bengal by individuals reportedly affiliated with the BJP.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the BJP of attacking the family over political rivalry, as the victim’s family had recently switched their political allegiance from the BJP.
The assault has escalated tensions in Nandigram, a region known for its BJP support, leading to heightened fear among residents. Many locals have become reluctant to speak to the media, fearing further violence or retribution, The Wire reported.
The TMC dispatched an eight-member delegation to Nandigram to meet with the victim and offer support, underscoring the party’s stance that the attack was politically motivated.
To distance the BJP from the incident, a district council leader acknowledged the assault as 'shameful' but insisted that those involved were not official party leaders or workers. The statement was aimed at dismissing claims of a politically motivated attack, describing the situation as an attempt to propagate anti-BJP sentiment.
The police have since arrested six individuals in connection with the incident, including a local BJP booth president. These arrests have further fuelled controversy and embarrassment for the BJP, especially as the party continues to criticise the state government over unrelated issues.
Amidst this backdrop, gender activists have condemned the incident, highlighting the BJP’s history of misogyny and referencing previous cases of violence against women.
The attack in Nandigram has drawn attention to broader issues of gender-based violence and the political exploitation of such incidents. The activists stressed that the problem extends beyond individual acts of violence to systemic issues within political structures that perpetuate misogyny.