Tensions Mount as West Bengal Minister's Vehicle Vandalized in Alleged Kurmi Community Attack

The vehicle of Birbaha Hansda, a West Bengal minister, was attacked and vandalized in Paschim Medinipur district. This occurred when members of the Kurmi community allegedly threw stones at a convoy led by senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, in which Hansda was traveling. The incident took place in Salboni, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to attend a party event the following day.

Abhishek, who is under Z-plus protection, had organized a roadshow as part of his campaign called "Trinamooley Nabojowar" in Jhargram's Binpur and Gopiballavpur. While passing through Salboni, members of the Kurmi community, who were demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, gathered on both sides of the road. As Abhishek's car moved forward, they allegedly began throwing stones at the convoy. One of the vehicles in the convoy, carrying Hansda, was damaged in the attack. A significant police force was deployed to control the situation, although it remains unclear if any arrests were made.

Abhishek accused the BJP of orchestrating the attack, stating that he supports democratic protests but condemns the violent actions of stone-throwing and vandalism. He alleged that miscreants from the BJP, posing as members of the Kurmi community, were responsible for the incident, aiming to tarnish the TMC's campaign. Abhishek demanded a statement from Kurmi community leaders within 48 hours, warning that their silence would be seen as their involvement and legal action would be taken.

Banerjee urged TMC workers to maintain peace and avoid provocation. He expressed surprise that the protesters, allegedly from the Kurmi community, were chanting religious slogans. The BJP denied any involvement in the violence and claimed that the protests represented the people's anger against the TMC.

Hansda, whose vehicle was targeted, denounced violence as an inappropriate means of democratic protest. She asserted that those involved in stone-throwing were outsiders exploiting the identity of the Kurmi community. Last week, the house of BJP leader Dilip Ghosh was vandalized by members of a Kurmi outfit following his comments against the community.

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty called on the TMC leadership to reflect on why such protests were occurring in the state. He claimed that people were frustrated with the state government over various issues.

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