In the Purulia district, a widely circulated video depicted a gathering of sadhus (ascetics) allegedly being undressed and attacked by a crowd on Friday.
Police reported on Saturday that 12 individuals have been apprehended for purportedly assaulting three sadhus (seers) in the Purulia district of West Bengal. According to Purulia Superintendent of Police (SP) Avijit Banerjee, the incident occurred near Gourangdih when three saints, traveling in a vehicle, stopped near three girls en route to a local Kali mandir and inquired about something.
Banerjee explained, “Misunderstandings arose due to language barriers, leading the girls to believe that the Sadhus were following them.”
The scenario escalated rapidly as nearby residents stepped in, transporting the sadhus to Durga Mandir, where their vehicle was damaged, and they endured physical assault, he further stated.
An inquiry has been initiated based on the complaint filed by one of the sadhus. The official stated, “The police provided full assistance to the sadhus… An ongoing investigation has led to the arrest of 12 individuals.”
Madhur Goswami, a sadhu claiming to be a victim of the mob attack, told reporters, “While on our way to Gangasagar, a large crowd suddenly stopped our vehicle and assaulted us.”
The occurrence triggered widespread anger on social media, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticizing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Drawing a parallel to the 2020 Palghar mob lynching, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya expressed, “A highly disturbing incident has been reported from Purulia in West Bengal… Sadhus en route to Gangasagar for Makar Sankranti were undressed and assaulted by individuals associated with the ruling TMC.”
“In Mamata Banerjee’s administration, a terrorist like Shahjahan Sheikh receives state protection while sadhus are subjected to lynching. Being a Hindu in West Bengal is deemed a crime,” Malviya asserted.
In response to Malviya’s accusations, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta referenced the Purulia district police statement, stating, “Cease spreading falsehoods and attempting to shape a narrative! Shame on you!”