TMC vs BJP in Bengal: What's going on in Sandeshkhali?

The following describes the recent events in Sandeshkhali village and the district's bigger Sandeshkhali-I block.

A tiny island in the Sundarban delta in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal has been the focal point of BJP-TMC politics in the state for the past fifteen days. The following describes the recent events in Sandeshkhali village and the district's bigger Sandeshkhali-I block.

An ED raid, a TMC strongman on the run

In the context of the continuing investigation into alleged anomalies in the state's public distribution system, a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the residence of local strongman and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan on January 5.

Three officials were hurt when the ED team was attacked by Shahjahan's supporters. Shahjahan, who is still at large, was also assisted in escaping by them.

Claims of land-grabbing and sexual assault

They would touch me improperly and tug my sari. One of these ladies stated in The Media, "I remained silent because I knew what would happen if I protested.

The following day, female demonstrators stormed Hazra's estates and set fire to his chicken farm, claiming it had been established on land that had been unlawfully taken.

An island in the Sundarban delta's political economy

How did the supposed "reign of terror" at Sandeshkhali come to be led by Shahjahan and his men? 

In the Sundarban delta, where the Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra system empties into the Bay of Bengal, there are hundreds of islands, including Sandeshkhali. It is encircled by a network of rivers, creeks, canals, and tidal waterways that are interspersed with mangrove areas. The nutrient-rich aquatic ecology of the island is perfect for fish aquaculture.

In Sandeshkhali-I block, according to the 2011 Census, there were roughly 49% Hindus, 30% Muslims, and 15% Christians. Scheduled Castes (SC) made up around 30% of the non-Muslim population, while Scheduled Tribes (ST) made up about 26%. The majority of people living on Sandeshkhali island are farmers and fishermen from the SC and ST.

Sandeshkhali, which was once the centre of the Tebhaga movement (1946–1947), in which peasants demanded a larger part of the agricultural produce, was a bastion of the CPI(M) until the early 2010s. Many of the residents, who had relocated from East Bengal after Partition, were granted land pattas (titles) by the CPI(M)-led Left Front administration, which also had their steadfast support.

Following the Left's defeat in 2011, everything shifted. The TMC was the area's dominant power by 2016. Sandeshkhali's sizable Muslim community served as a vital source of TMC support. 2013 saw Sheikh Shahjahan join the party.

Shahjahan, who was the district's Matsya Karmadhakshya (in charge of developing fisheries), is said to have started stealing farmers' fields and turning them into profitable fish farms with the help of his goons, all of whom were supported by the ruling party. It was said that individuals who resisted were singled out, and those who yielded in exchange for unfair treatment.

When things get heated, politicians intervene.

The police's inability to capture Shahjahan and his henchmen stoked the long-simmering resentment against them. Following the fire at Hazra's farm, police issued prohibitions and reportedly threatened a number of women with TMC thugs. The police first refuted claims that the ladies were raped before bringing charges against local TMC leaders. Sardar and Hazra have been taken into custody, but Shahjahan has not. Ahead of the elections, the opposition BJP made a strong political move after sensing an opening.

When state governor C V Ananda Bose visited Sandeshkhali on February 12, he declared that the “doors of Raj Bhavan are open for victimized women who can come and stay here” and called the situation “ghastly, shocking, and shattering”. He requested a judicial investigation and turned in a report to the Union Home Ministry.

During a visit to the island on Tuesday, Assembly Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari declared that there was "no democracy" there. Veteran CPI(M) member Brinda Karat also paid a visit and claimed that the TMC leaders in Sandeshkhali were conducting a "reign of terror."

The BJP, according to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, "brought in" individuals to "instigate" violence in Sandeshkhali and "fabricated an adivasi (ST) versus minorities (Muslim) fight," she told the state Assembly on February 15.

"It's nothing new. There's a base for the RSS. Seven or eight years ago, there were riots in that community. Since they had other arrangements, we handled the problem forcefully during Saraswati Puja. There's a dark scheme in action," she declared.

The Calcutta High Court, meantime, voiced its amazement on Tuesday that "Shahjahan, the person who is said to be the core of the problem, could not be apprehended till date."

Sandeshkhali's "Khalistani" controversy: a fresh turn of events

A Sikh IPS officer was allegedly dubbed "Khalistani" on Monday by BJP officials and workers who were protesting. The BJP officials and workers were prevented from accessing Sandeshkhali by a police detachment that included the officer, SSP (IB) Jaspreet Singh.

In addition to vowing to defend "Bengal's social harmony," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "vehemently condemned" the BJP's "divisive politics" and "attempt to undermine the reputation of our Sikh brothers & sisters." In a statement, the West Bengal Police expressed their displeasure over the alleged slur made by Adhikari and stated that Singh was "both a capable police officer who was trying to enforce the law and a proud Sikh."

The insult has not been used by Adhikari.