What is happening in Sandeshkhali?
For almost a month, Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal, has been at the focus of a political maelstrom due to the allegations of sexual harassment by numerous women against a local Trinamool Congress official. These protests have been unprecedented. (ANI photo)
When did it all started?
After the ED raided TMC's Shajahan Shiekh house in Sandeshkhali, local women in large numbers came out in the open and alleged that Shajahan and his men forcibly grabbed their land for prawn cultivation, torturing and sexually harassing them for several years. (ANI photo)
Continued protests in Sandeshkhali
Women in Sandeshkhali have been staging protests for the past eight days in response to purported atrocities; this has prompted the BJP to send a mission to look into the matter. Tensions are still rising in spite of the delegation's efforts, as demonstrators call for justice and an end to the current crisis. (ANI photo)
Mamata's govt displays fear and suppression: BJP
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul alleged that Mamata Banerjee's government displayed fear and suppression, citing the reluctance to permit Union ministers to visit as indicative of apprehension. (ANI photo)
Bengal police stop BJP delegation to visit Sandeshkhali
A six-member delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Union minister Annapurna Devi, was halted by West Bengal Police on their way to Sandeshkhali. The delegation including Pratima Bhowmik, Sunita Duggal, Kavita Patidar, Sangeeta Yadav, and Brij Lal. (ANI photo)
Caste panel submits report to President, recommends President's rule
NCSC submitted a report to President Droupadi Murmu and its chief Arun Halder, later, said, "We have recommended that President's rule should be imposed in West Bengal over the situation there under Article 338 that aims to safeguard rights of SCs." (ANI photo)
West Bengal police stop Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury
West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was stopped by police on the way to restive Sandeshkhali area. Chowdhury expressed concern over the restriction imposed on opposition parties, questioning why they were not allowed to visit Sandeshkhali. (PTI photo)