An eight-month-pregnant woman was allegedly assaulted and critically injured after being kicked in the stomach by goons linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Cooch Behar’s Dinhata area. The BJP has slammed on Mamata Banerjee led government for fostering a climate of political terror and violence against women, sparking outrage over the state’s worsening law and order situation.
The brutal attack took place on August 7, in Salmara village under Dinhata II subdivision. According to reports, the victim, Purabi Barman, is the daughter of BJP worker Jitendra Barman. Her family alleges that a group of armed TMC supporters, carrying lathis and bamboo sticks, stormed their home, vandalised property, and assaulted them.
Purabi’s mother, Jayanti Barman, recounted the horrifying sequence of events. “They attacked our home. When the goons tried to attack me, my daughter came to save me. They kicked her in the stomach, threw her on the ground. She became restless with the pain,” she told reporters.
The family further alleged that the attackers looted Rs 1 lakh that had been saved for Purabi’s delivery expenses and deliberately blocked medical assistance. “They stopped the ambulance at the market and did not allow it to come to our home. When the police arrived, they took us to the hospital,” Jayanti said.
Purabi, who is in her final trimester of pregnancy, is currently admitted to Cooch Behar Medical College Hospital in critical condition.
The BJP’s Cooch Behar district president, Avijit Barman, claimed the assault was retaliation for a complaint lodged against 42 TMC supporters, including senior leader Udayan Guha. In a strongly worded statement on social media, the West Bengal BJP accused the ruling party of being “anti-women” and using sexual violence as a political weapon.
“This is the same party that uses rape as a tool to stay in power, from the horrors of Sandeshkhali to the Kasba incident, a party that has institutionalized sexual violence,” the BJP’s West Bengal unit posted on X .
A separate BJP post read, “Pregnant woman kicked in the stomach for supporting BJP. An 8-month pregnant woman was brutally attacked in Cooch Behar’s Dinhata by TMC people. Her only ‘crime’? Believing in BJP!!”
Pregnant woman kicked in the stomach for supporting BJP 💔
An 8-month pregnant woman was brutally attacked in Cooch Behar’s Dinhata by TMC people.
Her only "crime"? 🙏 Believing in BJP!! pic.twitter.com/zSpgodma5X— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) August 8, 2025
The TMC, however, has attempted to downplay the incident. Initially dismissing it as an internal BJP feud, party leaders later claimed that “locals” had beaten BJP workers over issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Local TMC leader Bishu Dhar admitted to being aware of vandalism in the area but denied his party’s involvement, attributing the attack to public outrage over BJP leaders’ criticism of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“People are pissed off at Suvendu Adhikari because he is abusing Mamata Banerjee who has done so many things for the poor. So these things will happen. These small leaders will be attacked,” Dhar said, adding a warning to BJP panchayat members to “be alert.” Cooch Behar district has witnessed repeated bouts of political violence, particularly in the aftermath of local body elections and voter list disputes.
