“Truth prevails in the end…”: Mamata Banerjee Slams BJP for “Peddling Lies” that Fueled Sandeshkhali Unrest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the party of “peddling lies” that fueled the massive protests in Sandeshkhali earlier this year. This marked her first visit to the riverine island since widespread protests erupted over allegations of land-grabbing and sexual harassment by a local TMC leader that had sparked significant unrest in the region ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

“Don’t fall into traps laid down by bad people. I tell the women, if anyone tries to coerce you, do not listen… I know a huge amount of money had been channelized here (to fuel the unrest.) However, lies do not last long, and in the end, the truth prevails,” said Mamata Banerjee during her address. “I do not want to remember any of this, I want the women of Sandeshkhali to ace in every sphere of life,” she added.

Earlier this year, Sandeshkhali was thrust into the spotlight when Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers were attacked while attempting to raid the residence of local TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan. The raid was part of an investigation into an alleged ration distribution scam. During the operation in January, the ED officers were assaulted, and their vehicles were damaged, sparking widespread protests in the area.

Following the incident, several women from Sandeshkhali accused former TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar of land-grabbing and sexual harassment. These allegations heightened tensions, with opposition parties demanding the immediate arrest of Shahjahan and his associates. The BJP, CPI(M), and Congress accused the ruling TMC of protecting Shahjahan, while some TMC leaders countered that the opposition was fabricating the charges to undermine the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The ruling Trinamool Congress took action by suspending Shahjahan, who was eventually arrested after evading capture for 55 days.

In response to the controversy, the TMC held a press conference where they presented a video from a sting operation. The video allegedly showed a former BJP leader claiming that the entire episode had been "scripted" by the BJP. The TMC argued that the sexual harassment allegations were politically motivated and part of an effort to tarnish the party’s reputation. On the other hand, the BJP contended that the accusations highlighted the TMC’s misrule and the exploitation of women in the state. The issue became a major talking point during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Despite the controversy, the TMC emerged victorious in the Basirhat parliamentary seat, which includes the Sandeshkhali assembly constituency.