PM Modi speaks to Sandeshkhali survivor Rekha Patra
Tuesday saw a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rekha Patra, a Sandeshkhali native who is contesting the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat from the BJP.
Rekha Patra, a resident of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, has been the focal point of the local women’s protest movement against Sheikh Shahjahan, the suspended leader of the Trinamool Congress. Locals in Sandeshkhali accused the now-incarcerated local strongman and his goons of rape and unlawful land grabs.
#LISTEN | The conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rekha Patra, a BJP candidate from Basirhat and one of the Sandeshkhali victims.
She says, "…The situation in Sandeshkhali has been a matter of concern since 2011. If we were allowed to vote freely then this… pic.twitter.com/Y4KB7k1OKE
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2024
PM Modi talked to Rekha Patra regarding her election campaign preparations and public support for the BJP. “You’ll have a significant role to play. What is your emotional state?, Modi asked Rekha in an audio clip.
“I feel fantastic. Your hands are over my head and all the women of Sandeshkhali,” she replied.
“A huge tragedy happened with us. The ladies of Basirhat as a whole suffered, not only those in Sandeshkhali. We want the accused to face consequences. We want to cast a ballot this time around as we haven’t been allowed to since 2011,” she added.
“You have fought a great war in Sandeshkhali, Rekha ji. You are Shakti Swaroopa in a sense. You have imprisoned so many influential people. Without a doubt, you’ll win the election. Are you aware of the courage you have shown?”, PM Modi said to Rekha lauding her courage.
The Sandeshkhali Incident
Wheat and rice were to be supplied in West Bengal under the Public Distribution System (PDS). According to ED, instead of giving the grain to the people, it was sold in the market at a higher price. It is estimated that this scam is worth around Rs 10 thousand crores. Names of many TMC leaders surfaced in this scam. One such name is Shahjahan Sheikh.
On January 5, ED raided Shahjahan Sheikh’s house in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. His supporters attacked the ED team. Shahjahan absconded. After the incident of assault, ED had lodged an FIR against Shahjahan and his supporters. About a month after the incident, on February 8, some women of Sandeshkhali had accused Shahjahan Sheikh, his partner Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sarkar of sexual exploitation.
About a month after the incident, on February 8, some women of Sandeshkhali had accused Shahjahan Sheikh, his partners Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sarkar of sexual exploitation. It is alleged that Shahjahan Sheikh used to pick up women and girls any time at midnight. He used to keep them overnight and release them in the morning. These women were kept hostage for several days on the pretext of work in the TMC office.
On 13 February, the Calcutta High Court started hearing on its own. On February 26, the High Court had reprimanded the Mamata government and said that Shahjahan can be arrested by ED, CBI or anyone by the police. Following the court’s rebuke, West Bengal Police arrested Shaikh from a guest house in Minakha area of ​​North 24 Parganas district on February 29.
