Salient points of the press conference of Hon'ble Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri

 

Salient points of press conference of Hon’ble Union Minister & Senior BJP leader Shri Hardeep Singh Puri

 

Shahjahan Sheikh sexually exploits Dalit and Adivasi women, illegally occupied lands, indulges in lawlessness, and the Mamata government in Bengal is providing protection to Shahjahan Sheikh. Why is Mamata Banerjee and her government so restless to protect a criminal?

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The Calcutta High Court has acknowledged that if Shahjahan Sheikh is handed over to the state police, it could potentially impact the impartial investigation of the Sandeshkhali incident.

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It is surprising that in West Bengal, instead of criminals appealing to higher courts for relief, the Mamata Banerjee government itself is attempting to safeguard a rapist.

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This is the first time in the political history of India that a female Chief Minister's police force is protecting an individual accused of violating the dignity of women.

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Despite interventions by the NHRC, NCW, and the High Court in the Sandeshkhali case, Mamata Banerjee is persistently trying to protect Shahjahan Sheikh.

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Despite the decision of the Calcutta High Court, the Mamata Banerjee government is not handing over Shahjahan Sheikh and related cases to the CBI, which is indeed a contempt of court.

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Initially, the Bengal police did not even arrest Shahjahan Sheikh, rather he was given protection for 55 days.  It was only after the women's protests in Sandeshkhali, repeated demands for justice by the BJP, and the firm stance of the Calcutta High Court that he was finally arrested. Yet, efforts are still being made to protect him.

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Union Minister and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri addressed a press conference at the party's headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday. During the conference, Shri Puri strongly criticized the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal for shielding the criminal and rapist Shahjahan Sheikh and opposing his transfer to the CBI, potentially leading to Supreme Court intervention. He referenced the recent order of the Calcutta High Court, which highlighted the state government's protection of Shahjahan Sheikh, expressing deep concern. Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Smt Shazia Ilmi was also present and she denounced the Mamata Banerjee government's ruthless treatment towards the affected women of Sandeshkhali.

 

Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri stated that Sandeshkhali has gained infamy nationwide due to reported atrocities against women and perceived administrative failures in West Bengal. Situated near the Sundarban Delta, consists of hundreds of islands, forming a complex water ecosystem rich in nutrients and this fertile environment supports both farming and fishing activities. Shri Puri highlighted the demographic composition of Sandeshkhali 1 block based on 2011 census data, revealing that 49 percent of the population is Hindu, 30 percent is Muslim, and 15 percent are Christians. Among the non-Muslim population, 30 percent belong to Scheduled Castes, while 26 percent belong to Scheduled Tribes. Notably, Sandeshkhali Island is predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers and fishers. Union Minister Shri Hardeep Puri stated that Shahjahan Sheikh, associated with Trinamool Congress since 2013, holds significant influence in the area. Shahjahan Sheikh engaged in illegal land encroachment, sexually exploited women, and promoted hooliganism. On January 5, the Enforcement Directorate team visited the area to probe a money laundering case. Shri Puri noted that this individual, who is well-known in the region and accused of these atrocities, has been on the run for almost 55 days without being apprehended.

 

Union Minister Shri Hardeep Puri highlighted Calcutta High Court's observations and conveyed that the West Bengal police prevented Shahjahan Sheikh's arrest. Even when Shahjahan Sheikh appeared in court he marched as if leading a victory procession, making a victory sign. While quoting a paragraph from the Calcutta High Court's observation, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri cited, "Thus it has become imperative and absolutely necessary for doing complete justice and enforcing the fundamental rights of the public in general and the public of the locality that the case be transferred to the CBI for investigation." The West Bengal police has been completely biased, and the West Bengal government has been appealing to the Supreme Court against the CBI investigation. Normally, rapists or those against whom cases are filed appeal in higher courts, but in West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee’s government itself is trying to protect the accused.

 

Shri Hardeep Puri asserted that regardless of an individual’s political affiliations, lies humanity and when several women have agitated, ED officials were also attacked. It is not only a complete breakdown of law and situation but also the value system. It is a matter of great shame and highly commendable that a state government allows such an incident to take place then for 55 days they don’t allow the accused to be investigated.

 

Bharatiya Janata Party National spokesperson Smt Shazia Ilmi conveyed that in India there is a state government whose chief minister, despite being a woman, cannot hear the cries of Dalit and tribal women. What compulsion is there that Mamata Banerjee is protecting Shahjahan Sheikh? What secrets does ‘Jahapanah Shehenshah Sheikh’ possess that Mamata is afraid of being exposed? Despite intervention by the Human Rights Commission, National Women's Commission, and even the highest court in this matter, Mamata Banerjee is making every possible effort to protect Shahjahan Sheikh and shelter him.

 

Smt Ilmi emphasized that it is the first time in the political history of India that a state police provided protection to an individual who indulged in misconduct against women. Even after strict comments from the Calcutta High Court, efforts are being made to protect Shahjahan Sheikh. The situation of Mamata's government is extremely distressing. The government of West Bengal will have to bear the wrath of women's anger for this protection because the beginning of this opposition has not been done by any political party or individual but by the women themselves. Mamata Banerjee's government will soon see the consequences of women's anger.

 

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