‘Pro-women leaders have locked their mouths’: PM raises Bengal flogging case

On Sunday, a video went viral showing the public flogging of a couple by a man – later identified as TMC’s Tajimul Islam alias JCB. The accused was arrested on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)

Highlighting the public flogging of a couple in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday questioned the silence of “those who consider themselves progressive pro-women leaders” and said that the selective approach of the Opposition on atrocities on women is “worrying”.

In his reply on the Motion of thanks to the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the PM said, “The selective approach of the Opposition on atrocities against women is worrying.”

Referring to the incident from West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district, in which a TMC functionary is the accused, Modi said, “I am not trying to score a political point. But a little while ago, I saw some visuals on social media which had come from Bengal. A woman is being beaten up on the road in public. She is crying, but no one standing there helps her, they are instead shooting videos. And the incident in Sandeshkhali. The visuals give goosebumps.”

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“I have been hearing the veterans since yesterday. No pain is being reflected in their words. What visuals can be more shameful and painful. Those who consider themselves progressive pro-women leaders, they have also locked their mouths. Because the incident related to a party which they have political connection with,” he said.

On Sunday, a video went viral showing the public flogging of a couple by a man – later identified as TMC’s Tajimul Islam. He was arrested on Sunday.