Assault on Bihar Students in Bengal: A Viral Video Sparks Outrage and Political Fallout
In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation, two students from Bihar were assaulted and humiliated by a group of men in Siliguri, West Bengal, while they were attempting to take a Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment exam. The viral video of the assault has triggered a massive political backlash, with leaders from various parties condemning the incident and demanding action against the perpetrators.
The Incident
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, shows two young men from Bihar sleeping in a room when a group of men, claiming to be from the police, barge in and start interrogating them. The intruders ask the students if they can speak Bengali, and upon learning that they are from Bihar, they start questioning their presence in West Bengal for the exam.One of the victims, identified as Ankit Yadav from Danapur, Bihar, explains that they have come to take part in the physical exam and that the Siliguri center was allotted to them. However, the group insists that only residents of Bengal are eligible for that center and demands to see their documents. Despite the students’ pleas, they are forced to perform sit-ups and are warned never to come back to Bengal for examinations.
Political Fallout and Reactions
The assault on the Bihar students has triggered a massive political storm, with leaders from various parties condemning the incident and attacking the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal.Union Minister Giriraj Singh, from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took to Twitter to criticize the state government, saying, “Red carpet for Rohingya Muslims in Bengal and Bihar kid beaten up for taking exam? Are these children not part of India? Has Mamata government taken the contract of only saving rapists?”Chirag Paswan, the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries and a part of the ruling NDA, also condemned the attack, asking whether it was a crime to appear for an exam in West Bengal. He questioned the opposition party leaders’ silence on the issue and asked the Leader of Opposition of Bihar about the basis for supporting the Trinamool Congress now.
Police Action and Investigations
In response to the outrage, the Siliguri Police quickly swung into action and detained one of the suspects, identified as Rajat Bhattacharya, an activist of Bangla Pokkho, a pro-Bengali advocacy organization. Bhattacharya claimed that he and his associates approached the Bihari students on suspicion that they had used fake domicile certificates to apply for government jobs.The police have assured that they are investigating the matter and will take appropriate action against the culprits. The Bihar Police has also written to their West Bengal counterparts, seeking action and ensuring the safety of Bihar students in the state.
Conclusion
The assault on Bihar students in Siliguri has sparked a major controversy, with political leaders from across the spectrum condemning the incident and demanding justice. The viral video has once again highlighted the tensions between different states and the need for a more inclusive and harmonious society.As the investigations continue, it is crucial that the perpetrators are brought to justice and measures are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The governments of both Bihar and West Bengal must work together to ensure the safety and well-being of students from all states who come to the state for educational and employment opportunities.