SDPI Condemns BJP-Driven Communal Violence in Bengal

The Social Democratic Party of India strongly condemns the systematic and orchestrated attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party and associated elements of the RSS to incite communal polarisation and unleash violence in West Bengal in the aftermath of the recent electoral outcome. Reports from multiple districts indicate that, under the guise of victory celebrations, coordinated attacks have been carried out targeting opposition party workers, Muslims, places of worship, and Muslim-owned properties.

The brutal killing of TMC panchayat member Sahadeb Bag, whose blood-stained body was recovered from a field in Hooghly on 10 May, represents the sixth reported post-poll murder of TMC supporters. Earlier victims include Abir Sheikh, who was hacked to death in Nanoor (Birbhum), Biswajit Pattanaik in Beleghata (Kolkata), Tapas Naskar in Entally, and Mithun Samanta in Kulpi (South 24 Parganas).

A detailed report has documented at least 34 incidents of violence between 4 May and 7 May across eight districts, including Cooch Behar, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Howrah. These incidents include attacks on mosques, particularly in Gosanimari (Cooch Behar) during a “Jai Shri Ram” procession, where a Muslim man was killed while attempting to protect the place of worship. The report further records vandalism of Muslim homes in villages such as Nandina and Abutra, assaults on minority individuals, and targeted attacks on meat shops and other establishments. The pattern of these incidents clearly indicates premeditated acts of intimidation aimed at polarisation and the disruption of Bengal’s longstanding social harmony.

The SDPI demands an impartial judicial investigation into all reported incidents and strict legal action against the perpetrators without delay. The party stands in solidarity with all victims and appeals to the people of West Bengal to firmly reject politics of hatred and division. The unity and social fabric of Bengal must be preserved and strengthened.

Ya Mohideen
National Secretary
Social Democratic Party of India