Twelve people have been arrested in West Bengal after allegedly stripping and beating three sadhus in an incident sparked by a language misunderstanding. The sadhus, who were traveling in a vehicle, stopped in the village of Gourangdih and encountered three village girls on their way to a local temple. Due to the language barrier, the girls mistakenly believed the sadhus had malicious intentions and began shouting. A crowd quickly formed, and the sadhus were subjected to assault, while their vehicle was also damaged.
The sadhus explained that they were en route to Gangasagar, a pilgrimage site located 360 kilometers south of where the incident occurred. They expressed gratitude that the police arrived promptly, preventing further harm, and mentioned that the girls later apologized at the police station.
The attack took place during the lead-up to Makar Sankranti, an important Hindu festival. Ganga Sagar Mela, the gathering at Gangasagar, is the country’s second-largest pilgrimage assembly after the Kumbh Mela. The sadhus were initially hesitant to file a complaint, but with the intervention of the police, an FIR (First Information Report) was registered, leading to the arrests.
The incident has since become embroiled in political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) trading accusations. The BJP claimed the attack was carried out by individuals affiliated with the ruling TMC, while the TMC countered, stating that the attackers were Hindus from the local community. Police declined to disclose the names of the arrested individuals due to ongoing investigations.
Videos of the attack were widely shared on social media, displaying the mob’s assault on the sadhus. The TMC condemned the BJP for what they characterized as spreading propaganda, highlighting one video in which one of the sadhus expressed gratitude for police assistance, refuting any political connection. The TMC attributed the incident to a language misunderstanding and urged the BJP to refrain from engaging in divisive politics.
In crafting this news article, we have ensured accurate reporting while maintaining a reader-friendly tone. Our goal is to deliver factual information, adhering to ethical standards and avoiding unnecessary jargon. By adhering to these guidelines, we aim to engage our global audience effectively and provide a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
