Kolkata: Sheikh Mohammad Mafik was killed on August 15, two days after he was allegedly assaulted at his home in Bankura’s Indus area, allegedly by BJP-linked attackers. His son, Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, a member of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has alleged that the attack was connected to videos he had recorded about the poor condition of a local government school.
Mafik was a resident of Karishunda village under Indus police station. His son Hafiz had recently returned from Delhi, where he had participated in a CJP protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who subsequently resigned on July 25 amid student protests.
Significantly, Mafik was killed on India’s Independence Day, in Bengal, the land of Rabindranath Tagore, who imagined a free India “where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.”
Hafiz travelled to Delhi on July 19 to participate in the programme. On July 20, he was allegedly detained at Rajiv Chowk and was caught in a police lathi-charge and tear-gas shelling during the protest. He returned to his village on July 27.
Back in Karishunda, Hafiz joined CJP’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, which seeks to highlight the condition of government schools. He visited Karishunda Primary School, recorded videos showing what he described as its poor condition and spoke to the headmaster about the problems he had observed.
According to Hafiz and his family, he began receiving threats after posting the videos. On the night of August 13, a group of people allegedly entered his house and assaulted him. The family has also alleged that the attackers took away his mobile phone and deleted the video.
Hafiz’s father intervened when he saw his son being attacked. The family alleges that Mafik was then beaten with iron rods and sticks.
Mafik’s condition deteriorated the following day. He was initially taken to Indus Hospital and was later shifted to Bardhaman Medical College Hospital for further treatment. He died there on August 15 while undergoing treatment.
Hafiz Alleges BJP Link; Suvendu Adhikari Says Accused Are ‘Miscreants’
Hafiz has alleged that local BJP leaders and workers were behind the attack. In a video message, he said, “A group of local BJP leaders and workers entered our home and launched an attack. They beat me first. When my father tried to save me, they assaulted him as well. They attacked me with the intention of killing me.”
Hafiz further alleged that his father suffered serious injuries while trying to protect him.
The BJP has rejected the allegation. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that five people had been named in the FIR and that three had already been arrested. He also denied that the accused were BJP workers.
“We are aware of the incident. The families have named five people in the FIR, and all of them are alleged to be miscreants. Who said they are BJP workers? Three of them have already been arrested, and the remaining accused will also be arrested. All of them are miscreants. The rule of law prevails in the state, and legal action will be taken in every such incident,” Adhikari said at a press conference.
State minister Agnimitra Pal also said that any BJP worker found to have been involved would face action.
“What does it mean to say that BJP workers are involved? If any BJP worker has done something like this, the police will not overlook the matter simply because they are associated with the BJP. Appropriate action will certainly be taken against them,” Pal said.
The police investigation will now have to establish what led to the assault, who was involved and whether the attack was connected to Hafiz’s campaign highlighting the condition of the school.
CJP Rallies Behind Hafiz After Father Murdered Following Alleged Assault
The incident drew a response from CJP leaders, who rallied around Hafiz and his family. On Sunday afternoon, party in-charge leader Dedipya Gangopadhyay met Hafiz at Burdwan Medical College Hospital.
CJP founder Abhijit Deepke condemned the incident in an Instagram post, alleging that Hafiz’s father died after an attack linked to the campaign over government schools.
“It makes my blood boil that people are being killed simply for demanding better schools,” Deepke wrote. He demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and said a CJP team would visit West Bengal to pursue the matter and seek justice for Hafiz and his family.
CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka also said that he, along with Vijay Mallangi, Ankit Bharadwaj, Sudhir Sangowan and other party members, would visit Karishunda village in Bankura.
The party has said it will continue its “School Thik Karo” campaign despite the alleged attack.
