Ahmedabad: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) today held nationwide protests against the violence and sexual offences that occurred in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal by TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh. During the protest in the city, ABVP members burnt an effigy of Mamata Banerjee. However, while attempting to douse the fire, a police constable from the Gujarat University Police Station suffered burns. The injured officer has been taken to the hospital for the treatment of injuries to his mouth and throat, and ABVP activists have been detained.

With protests taking place across the nation, ABVP members held a demonstration near Gujarat University in the city. ABVP cadres voiced their protests with slogans against Mamata Banerjee.

People also signed a banner reading “JUSTICE4SANDESHKHALI” during the demonstration. Later, an effigy of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was brought in a car by some workers. Placing the effigy in the middle of the road, activists poured petrol on it and set it on fire. When policemen tried to extinguish the fire, some ABVP workers added petrol and reignited the flames.

Mayurbhai Dazya, a cop from the Gujarat University Police Station who was on duty during this incident, suffered burns. As Mayurbhai’s clothes caught fire, onlookers attempted to put out the flames, but Mayurbhai sustained injuries to his face and neck. He was promptly placed in a police car and taken to the hospital for treatment. Following the incident, the police detained activists and leaders.

Regarding the protest, ABVP Gujarat leader Samarth Bhatt stated, “ABVP is protesting nationwide against the rape and atrocities committed against Scheduled Caste women by Mamata Banerjee, the TMC government, and their leaders. We will submit the petition to the President, demanding her removal from the post of TMC MLA and seeking punishment for him.”

Sandeshkhali controversy: What is the issue, and how did it begin?

In the village of Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, protests have erupted over allegations of sexual abuse of women by a local TMC leader, Shajahan Sheikh, and his supporters. The controversy began on January 5 when a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who were investigating Sheikh in an alleged ration distribution scam. Subsequently, local women accused Sheikh of land-grab and sexual assault under coercion. The tensions escalated, leading to protests. The situation intensified on February 8 when protesters set fire to three poultry farms owned by one of Sheikh’s associates. Sheikh was arrested on February 29 and has been sent to 10 days in police custody by the Basirhat court. He had been absconding since the mob attack on ED officials. DeshGujarat