Kolkata: Sheikh Abdul Hafiz does not want compensation for the death of his father. He wants a school.
“My father is no more. What will I do with government compensation? I want the government to build a world-class school in my late father’s name,” Hafiz told the media on Monday, days after his father, Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, died following an alleged assault at their home in Karishunda village in Bankura district.
For Hafiz, the demand is linked directly to what he says his father stood for in the final days of his life: better education for children in their village.
Hafiz had recently returned to Karishunda after participating in a protest in Delhi organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Back home, he became involved in the organisation’s ‘School Thik Karo’ (Fix the School) campaign, which seeks to highlight the condition of government schools.
He visited Karishunda Primary School and raised questions about its condition and functioning. The family says Hafiz subsequently recorded a video showing the state of the school and posted it on social media.
What happened later that night is now at the centre of a police investigation.
“They came to our house and attacked us”
According to Hafiz’s family, a group of people entered their house after the school video was circulated and assaulted Hafiz. They allege that his mobile phone was taken and photographs and videos were deleted.
Mafik, 55, intervened when his son was being assaulted, the family alleges. He was also beaten and suffered injuries.
His condition later deteriorated. He was initially taken to Indus Hospital on August 14 and subsequently shifted to Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital. He died while undergoing treatment on August 15, according to his family.
The death has since turned a local dispute over a government school into a wider political controversy.
The family has alleged that people associated with the BJP were involved in the attack. The BJP has denied that the accused should be identified as party workers.
Eight arrested, police say investigation continues
Police have registered a case based on a complaint lodged by Mafik’s family and arrested eight people in connection with the incident.
A police official said the arrested accused were being interrogated in custody and that a search was continuing for others allegedly involved in the attack.
The arrests are the latest development in a case that has drawn the attention of political parties and student organisations.
The family’s allegations about a political connection, however, remain allegations and are part of the investigation.
‘What will I do with the money?’
For Hafiz, the question of compensation has become inseparable from the reason his father died.
“My father had to lose his life while raising his voice against the poor condition of the education system. My father is no more. What will I do with government compensation?” he said.
Instead, he wants a school.
“I want the government to build a world-class school in my father’s name,” Hafiz said.
His family has said it does not want financial assistance from the state government and would prefer the government to improve the local education infrastructure.
The son also made clear that he does not intend to abandon the campaign that brought him into the controversy.
“The students and young people of the country have taken to the streets. This fight will not stop. We will continue our efforts to improve the education system,” he said.
CJP says Hafiz will lead school campaign across Bengal
CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka, who visited the bereaved family on Monday, accused the state police of failing to provide adequate security to the family while allegedly protecting some of those accused in the case.
Ranka claimed that several people allegedly involved in the attack had already been identified by Hafiz’s family and demanded further arrests.
He said the CJP would give the state police 10 days to act. If the organisation believes the police have failed to take adequate action, Ranka said, it would stage a protest outside the office of the district Superintendent of Police.
“The BJP may think that it can silence us through violence and intimidation. We are not afraid of such threats,” Ranka said.
He said the CJP would continue raising issues of education, unemployment and employment.
Ranka also said the organisation would raise funds to support Hafiz’s family and hand over the money collected to them.
He announced that Hafiz would lead the CJP’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign across West Bengal.
Opposition leaders visit bereaved family
The family has received support from several opposition political parties and student organisations.
On Monday, CJP leaders, CPI(M) leaders Shatarup Ghosh and Mayukh Biswas and others visited Hafiz’s residence.
Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee also spoke to the family over the phone and assured them of her support.
CPI(ML) Liberation has called for a statewide ‘Protest Day’ on August 17 and 18, demanding punishment for those responsible, a transparent and impartial investigation and adequate security for the bereaved family.
Party general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya alleged that the attack was linked to Hafiz’s campaign over the condition of the local school.
AISA-RYA leaders also visited the family and demanded justice and exemplary punishment for those responsible.
From a school video to a father’s death
Hafiz’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign began with a familiar complaint: a government school in his village was in poor condition.
His father is now dead.
The family says Mafik was attacked when he intervened to protect his son. Police have arrested eight people, while allegations of political involvement are being investigated.
But Hafiz says he does not want his father’s death to end with a cheque.
He wants the school that his father, according to the family, died defending to become a better school.
“My father is no more. What will I do with government compensation? I want the government to build a world-class school in my father’s name.”
