“I was being threatened…”: Asian Games Gold Medallist Swapna Barman Alleges House Set on Fire Amid Bengal Post-Poll Violence

Asian Games gold medallist and Trinamool Congress candidate Swapna Barman has alleged that her house in Jalpaiguri was set on fire amid post-poll violence in West Bengal, reigniting the political row over attacks and intimidation following the Assembly election results.

The incident reportedly took place on Friday evening at Swapna’s old residence in Ghoshpara under Patkata Gram Panchayat in Rajganj, Jalpaiguri district. According to reports, the house was vacant when the fire broke out, preventing any casualties. Heavy rainfall was continuing in the area when locals noticed flames engulfing the property and alerted police and the fire brigade. Emergency teams later brought the blaze under control.

Swapna, who contested the 2026 Assembly election from Rajganj on a Trinamool Congress ticket and lost to BJP candidate Dinesh Sarkar by 21,477 votes, claimed she had been facing threats since the results were announced. In a Facebook post following the incident, the athlete expressed anguish over the attack. “They even set my house on fire. Had I known this would happen, I truly would not have entered politics,” she wrote.

Speaking about the incident, Swapna Barman said her family had moved to a new house while her younger brother stayed at the old residence. “We live in a new house. My younger brother used to stay in the old house. Since the election results came out, he had been receiving threats,” she said. She further alleged that she too had received threats of sexual violence but initially dismissed them. “I was being threatened with rape. We thought someone was joking. When we reached there, the house was burning fiercely,” Swapna said.

Expressing shock over the sudden change in political atmosphere, she added, “I feel some people could not accept me. The same people who stood beside me two days ago changed overnight. I do not know who carried out this act.”

Reacting strongly to the alleged attack on Swapna Barman’s house, Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee accused BJP workers of intimidation and violence. “India failed you, dear Swapna,” Abhishek wrote in a post on X. “An athlete who brought glory to the nation is being repaid with violence, intimidation and fear — simply because she chose to stand with the Trinamool Congress,” he added. Calling the incident a reflection of the BJP’s promised “Parivartan”, he questioned whether supporting the TMC had now become a threat to personal safety.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Dinesh Sarkar denied any involvement by his party and demanded an investigation into the incident. “I am in Kolkata. Someone informed me over the phone. There is nobody in our party who would set someone’s house on fire. Police should conduct a proper investigation,” he said. Police have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, and an investigation into the incident is underway.