Tensions flared at a poll training centre in West Bengal’s Ranaghat after a schoolteacher, assigned election duty, alleged that he was assaulted by government officials during a training session on Friday.
The incident took place at a school in Nadia district, where election personnel were undergoing training ahead of the Assembly polls. The teacher, identified as Saikat Chattopadhyay, claimed he was attacked after objecting to what he described as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
According to his complaint, a video showcasing the state government’s development work—including references to a temple project in Digha—was being played at the training session. The teacher alleged that he protested against the screening, arguing that it amounted to political promotion during an official election programme.
“Promotional content about Digha Jagannath Temple linked to Mamata Banerjee was being shown. I said this amounted to a violation of the election code of conduct. Then three to four people came and told me, ‘Don’t overdo it. If you step outside, you’ll be murdered.’ After that, they dragged me into a room and beat me,” the teacher said in a video that is now viral on social media, the video was shared by Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari.
He further claimed that following his objection, he was taken into a room by several individuals, confined, and physically assaulted. The teacher also alleged that he was threatened with serious consequences if he spoke out. He sustained head injuries and was later admitted to hospital for treatment.
Some of his colleagues present at the training centre reportedly protested against the incident, after which police reached the spot. The injured teacher has sought intervention from the Election Commission.
However, the allegations have been denied by the local Block Development Officer (BDO), who dismissed claims of assault. The BDO stated that the teacher had created disruptions during the training session and behaved inappropriately with officials. According to him, the injury may have been caused by a fall during a scuffle rather than any deliberate attack.
The incident has triggered a political row, with opposition leaders targeting the state government over the alleged assault and raising questions about the conduct of election-related training programmes.
