In a shocking incident reminiscent of the 2020 Palghar lynching, three sadhus from Uttar Pradesh were brutally assaulted by a mob on Thursday (January 12) evening while travelling to the Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal’s Purulia district. A video capturing the violent attack has gone viral on social media, depicting the sadhus being pulled by their hair, stripped naked, and beaten with sticks. The assailants accused the sadhus of being kidnappers, leading to the brutal assault.
Warning: Disturbing content
Sadhus not safe in West Bengal?
Two Sadhus who were traveling to Gangasagar on the occasion of ‘Makar Sankranti’ were reportedly stripped and beaten by miscreants in Purulia, West Bengal#MamataBanerjee#WestBengal pic.twitter.com/jnZ2KnyzaX
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) January 13, 2024
Local authorities have registered a case at the Kasipur Police Station, and a vigorous investigation is underway. Raids are being conducted to apprehend the attackers, with 12 accused already in custody. The sadhus have been rescued and provided with transportation to the Gangasagar Mela.
This incident has drawn parallels to the Palghar tragedy in 2020, when two sadhus were lynched by a mob in the presence of police, sparking public outrage. The current attack has once again brought attention to the vulnerability of Sadhus while travelling.
In a video capturing a separate incident, the sadhus can be seen joining their hands as a man aggressively interacts with them, surrounded by a large crowd. A limited police presence attempts to control the mob, reflecting the suspicion that led to the assault.
Critics are directing their ire at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, holding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accountable for alleged Muslim appeasement politics, leading to anti-Hindu sentiments. The BJP has strongly condemned the incident, with leaders like Amit Malviya expressing shock and blaming the ruling TMC for the attack.
The BJP’s official statement on social media reads, “Shame on Mamata Banerjee’s deafening silence! Are these Hindu Sadhus not worthy of your acknowledgment? The atrocity demands accountability.”
Absolutely shocking incident reported from Purulia in West Bengal. In a Palghar kind lynching, sadhus traveling to Gangasagar for Makar Sankranti, were stripped and beaten by criminals, affiliated with the ruling TMC.
In Mamata Banerjee’s regime, a terrorist like Shahjahan Sheikh… pic.twitter.com/DsdsAXz1Ys— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 12, 2024
The West Bengal state BJP president, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, commented, “Being Hindu is a crime in WB under Mamata Banerjee’s rule,” highlighting the party’s stance against the alleged bias.
Shocking incident from Purulia; Sadhus en route to Gangasagar were stripped and beaten by criminals linked to TMC, echoing the Palghar tragedy. Under @MamataOfficial’s rule, a terrorist like Shahjahan gets state protection while sadhus face violence. Being Hindu is a crime in WB. pic.twitter.com/qAzlOTtR2i
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) January 12, 2024
According to reports, the sadhus, a man, and his two sons were traveling to Gangasagar for the Makar Sankranti festival. Local suspicions arose when the sadhus inquired about the route, leading to an agitated crowd accusing them of kidnapping. The situation escalated when three teenage girls, whom the sadhus had asked for directions, screamed and fled, triggering further suspicion among the locals, ultimately leading to the assault.
Purulia Police Superintendent Abhijit Banerjee confirmed the registration of a case, ongoing investigations, and the arrest of 12 individuals involved in the attack. The incident underscores the need for increased awareness and protection for individuals of religious affiliations travelling in sensitive areas.
The Palghar Lynching Case
Significantly, on April 16, 2020, a gruesome incident unfolded in Palghar, a satellite town approximately 100 kilometers from Mumbai, where two Hindu sadhus met a brutal end at the hands of a frenzied mob comprising over 100 individuals.
Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70) and Sushilgiri Maharaj (35), both seers of Juna Akhara, along with their 30-year-old driver, fell victim to the mob’s lynching at Gadchinchale village in Palghar district, Maharashtra, while en route to Surat, Gujarat. Despite the presence of police at the scene, they purportedly made no efforts to intervene or save the sadhus.
Initially, the police claimed their team, attempting to rescue the 70-year-old seer, came under attack from the violent mob. However, subsequent videos contradicted this assertion, revealing that the police personnel allegedly handed over the sadhus to the mob, who proceeded to beat them to death in front of the officers.
Amidst the shock of the bloodcurdling lynching, emerging reports suggested a possible broader conspiracy behind the intentional murder of the Hindu sadhus. An FIR into the case implicated a CPI(M) gram panchayat member who allegedly orchestrated the mob armed with rods and stones. The FIR also noted similarities in the modus operandi, such as cutting trees and placing boulders, with tactics employed by Naxalites against their targets.
Speculation arose that the sadhus’ killing might have been politically motivated, with suspected involvement from Christian missionary organisations, local NCP leaders, and leftists.
The heinous lynching prompted nationwide outrage, leading politicians across the spectrum to demand strict action against the perpetrators. Palghar SP Gaurav Singh was placed on compulsory leave, and five police personnel were suspended, while 35 officers from the local Kasa police station were transferred. As public anger grew, the case was eventually transferred to the CID, and demands for a CBI inquiry gained momentum, resulting in four petitions filed in the Supreme Court.
Under mounting pressure, the Maharashtra Police CID team took action, filing seven charge sheets and arresting over 250 accused, including 15 juveniles. Notably, 56 accused initially named in the case remain at large. The charge sheets revealed that the horrifying attack stemmed from rumours and fake messages circulated on WhatsApp groups, falsely claiming the presence of child lifters and organ harvesters in the area. Based on these rumours, a mob of over 300 people attacked and killed the sadhus.
