“We feel liberated…” Women Call It A “New Dawn” For Sandeshkhali Without Shahjahan Sheikh Being Around

The arrest of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan accused of crimes like land grab and coercion-based sexual harassment, by Bengal police on Thursday, was welcomed by the women of Sandeshkhali with joyous celebrations. Women, who had previously protested vehemently, brandishing sickles, axes, and sticks, had spilled on the streets of Sandeshkhali Block 2 yet again on Thursday but with sweets in their hands, blowing conch marking a new beginning for their land, without Shahjahan aka ‘bagha’ (tiger). While women gave ‘uludhoni’, a ritualistic sound integral to Bengali culture marking the beginning of something auspicious, others played with vibrant powdered colors as a symbol of joy and triumph.

“Good riddance! Finally, we're free! Just as we use holy water from the Ganges to ward off evil spirits from our homes, today, we are cleansing our land with “Ganga Jal”, ushering in a new dawn that marks the end of Shahjahan's reign of terror,” said a woman unwilling to be named. Like she, several others had come out without covering their faces anymore.

Sandeshkhali has been engulfed in unrest for nearly a month, with women leading the charge in demanding the arrest of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates, Sibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar. Accusing them of sexual abuse and land encroachment, the women have taken to the streets as the harbingers of resistance, demanding justice and retribution, armed with sticks and sickles, to protest against the alleged injustices perpetrated by the TMC leaders.

Sandeshkhali experienced an early Holi celebration on Thursday, children burst crackers, and people smeared colors on each other. “Holi means the victory of good over evil. We fought and won our battle against Shahjahan. We want stringent punishment for him. This revolt has given us the courage to stand up for the right and send a message to others. Our teachers who used Shahjahan’s clout to bunk the school and take classes will now be more careful henceforth”, said Sonu Mondal, a class X student studying at a Government school in the village.


Sima Mondal Sardar was almost giddish with a sense of exhilaration, joyously celebrating with her comrades by applying ‘abir’ on their cheeks. She, like many others, is a homemaker but had kept cooking for the day on hold to register their celebrations, for power to take note of. “The relief I feel is immense, beyond words. Only those who have endured the tyranny of Shahjahan and his associates can understand this sense of closure. I only hope and pray that he languishes behind bars for the rest of his life, even better if he is given the death penalty,” said Sima as a tear of joy escaped her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. “We all feel free and liberated now”, she added

Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan had been on the run since January 5, after the Enforcement Directorate officials who were en route to his Sandeshkhali residence to conduct raids were attacked by his supporters. The West Bengal police nabbed him from Minakhan on Thursday, two days after the Calcutta High Court clarified that there was no stay on his arrest. Shahjahan is faced with a total of 43 FIRs, and his arrest was based on a complaint by the Enforcement Directorate for the January attack. Now, a Basirhat district court has remanded him to 10 days of police custody.

Before the arrest, the women of Sandeshkhali who spoke to the media covered their faces with their saris to conceal their identities, fearing retaliation from Sheikh Shahjahan's associates. However, after his arrest on Thursday, they were seen smiling without any disguise, feeling relieved and unafraid as they believed that no harm could come to them now that Shahjahan was in custody. “I do not feel the need to cover my face anymore, why should I? Sheikh Shahjahan is arrested, I do not need to feel afraid anymore,” asserted a woman who was a part of the celebrations.

“I ran out of my house as soon as I heard that Shahjahan was arrested leaving all household chores for today is no ordinary day, our misery finally comes to an end today. The police have finally put that tyrant behind bars! Justice has been served. I only hope and pray that he is subjected to the most stringent punishment that there is,” said Moushumi Sardar.

The arrest of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali has ushered in a significant turning point as the women who had been agitating for weeks now found solace. “We broke the shackles of fear and oppression”, said Renu Patra before rushing back at home, way past lunchtime. She had to cook food for her children, about to come back from school.​