In the midst of a political conflict between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal regarding accusations of women being sexually harassed by influential Trinamool members in Sandeshkhali, several women, who spoke to The Indian Express, disclosed that they had experienced incidents of molestation but chose not to speak up due to fear.

This comes at a time when the Calcutta High Court has taken cognizance of the allegations, which have been amplified by Governor CV Ananda Bose and Union Minister Smriti Irani.

The allegations surfaced only after TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan – who wielded significant power in the area – went absconding when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided his home last month.

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The women claimed Sheikh’s aides, including party leader Uttam Sardar, were among the accused. The Sandeshkhali women alleged that the TMC strongmen called them to resorts, party offices or school buildings under the garb of late-night meetings, Indian Express reported.

The women have now submitted their statements to the state women’s commission and briefed the Governor when he visited the area on February 12.

Since the allegations have come to light, a molestation case has reportedly been filed against Uttam Sardar and others. Sardar, TMC’s North 24 Parganas zilla parishad member, was suspended by the party on February 12, hours after his arrest.

“We have formed a special team led by DIG CID (Soma Das Mitra) to speak to the women and investigate any complaints in connection with rape, sexual assault or molestation. The team will investigate if there are such complaints and take appropriate action,” Sumit Kumar, DIG, Barasat Range, told IE.

However, on Wednesday, the West Bengal police took to X to junk these sexual harassment claims. They said, “It is reiterated that no allegations about rape of women have so far been received during the enquiries since conducted by the State Women’s Commission, an all-women 10-member fact-finding team led by DIG CID, and also the district police. The representatives of the National Women’s Commission, following a recent visit to Sandeshkhali, have also corroborated this, saying that they did not receive any complaints of rape of local women during their enquiry. It is reiterated that all allegations and complaints received will be duly enquired into and lawful action will be initiated.”

In the post, the police also warned of strict action against media houses “for spreading unfounded misinformation”.

Earlier in the day, the Governor said he had received complaints from villagers of “torture and sexual harassment of women when the menfolk are away” and of “police working hand in glove with the rowdy elements”. The Governor recommended that a special task force or special investigation team be set up to investigate and a judicial enquiry be considered.

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One of the women The Indian Express spoke to narrated what allegedly transpired, “What do you call summoning us at 10 pm under the pretext of a meeting? Touching us whenever they like and wherever they like, pulling our saree? I went through that so many times and I am not alone.” The woman, in her 20s, said that she, like the others, are “TMC supporters” and members of self-help groups (SHG) that run under the panchayat. It was under the pretense of SHG meetings that the women were called at odd hours, they alleged, adding that this has “been going on since 2020”.

Another woman alleged, “They used to call us for meetings – sometimes of the SHG and sometimes of the party. Our husbands were not called. When we went there, there was a quick ‘party meeting’ saying we will have to work for its victory. Some of us cooked and a section of women, including me, were told to stay back. They would pull my saree and touch me inappropriately. I kept quiet because I knew what would have happened if I protested.” She alleged her family’s bigha of land was also grabbed by TMC leaders and turned into a fishery, IE reported.

Another woman said, “You must understand how hard it is to speak up even now. But we did. Because Sheikh Shahjahan is absconding and TMC leaders are on the backfoot.”

Sandeshkhali unrest

Besieged by protests and clashes between TMC and BJP workers and the police, the district is currently under curfew, with police in anti-riot gear patrolling the streets.

The recent protests flared on February 8, when a local TMC rally ran into a protest by local women, who also set on fire Uttam Sardar’s poultry farm. The women continued their protests the next day.

The Bengal unit of BJP, headed by Sukanta Majumdar, marched to reach the Basirhat SP office but were stopped on the way and clashes broke out between the police and the party workers. Section 144 has also been imposed in the area. On Wednesday, as police lathi charged to disperse the crowd, Majumdar fainted and was rushed to Kolkata for treatment.