Humayun Kabir’s Party Urges High Court Intervention Over Post-Poll Violence in Bengal

The Aam Janata Unnayan Party, spearheaded by former West Bengal minister Humayun Kabir, has approached the Calcutta High Court alleging significant violence in Murshidabad district that erupted following the recent Assembly elections. This legal move, reported on Wednesday, highlights the party’s concerns about widespread and organized violence against its members during the aftermath of the electoral process.

Humayun Kabir, who was previously a member of the Trinamool Congress, faced suspension in December for controversial remarks regarding the construction of a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. Subsequently, he established his own party ahead of the elections, aiming to address local issues and represent voter interests. The allegations presented in the party’s writ petition describe a scenario of extensive, politically motivated disturbances that allegedly occurred after polling on April 23, which was the first phase of the Assembly elections.

The petition specifically outlines incidents of targeted assaults, vandalism, and even the use of explosives to intimidate political workers. It claims that these actions violate constitutional rights, including the right to equality, freedom, life, and personal liberty. Reports from April 23 described confrontations in Murshidabad, where Kabir himself reported being attacked while visiting a polling booth in the Naoda Assembly constituency. The situation escalated with claims of physical assaults on party members and damage to vehicles.

Moreover, the petition asserts that local police failed to register complaints regarding these assaults, characterizing this inaction as a serious administrative failure. The distressing conditions described by the Aam Janata Unnayan Party raise serious questions about the safety and security of political workers and the integrity of the electoral process in the state.

As the case unfolds in the high court, it brings to light the ongoing tensions in West Bengal’s political landscape, where electoral violence remains a contentious issue. Observers note that such allegations can undermine public trust in the democratic process, highlighting the need for robust measures to ensure fair and secure elections in the future.

Source: scroll.in