Published Aug 17, 2026 | 11:26 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 17, 2026 | 12:08 PM
Sheikh Mohammed Mafiq and his son Sheikh Abdul Hafeez.
Synopsis: CJP activist Sheikh Abdul Hafeez’s campaign against the poor condition of government schools in his locality allegedly put his family in the crosshairs of a violent mob, leaving his father dead. Amid political backlash, eight people were arrested; the incident has renewed fears over how rumours, fear and mob violence continue to haunt West Bengal — increasingly reaching ordinary homes.
While Independence Day celebrations were loud across the country, with flags, songs and patriotic slogans filling the air, Karisunda village in West Bengal’s Bankura district was gripped by an eerie silence. In the voices of its villagers, fear remains palpable.
On August 14, as the nation was preparing to celebrate Independence Day, the village witnessed a horrifying episode of mob violence.
A mob allegedly entered a house and attacked the family. The assault turned fatal for the head of the household, Sheikh Mohammed Mafiq, 51, an ordinary villager.
Sheikh Mohammed Mafiq’s son, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez, is an active Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activist and, according to the family, his vocal opposition to the substandard education system in the Bankura district had provoked the goons, allegedly associated with the BJP.
Speaking to South First, Mohammed Malik, a villager from Karisunda, recounted how rumours and fear spiralled into mob violence, turning an otherwise ordinary day into a nightmare for the family and leaving the village living in fear.
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Sheikh Abdul Hafeez, an active CJP activist had participated in the party’s protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Malik told South First that Hafeez had been under the watch of local BJP workers since then.
The family has alleged that Hafeez’s activism and his criticism of the deteriorating condition of government schools made him a target.
Speaking to South First, Students’ Federation of India (SFI) West Bengal chief Debanjay Dey said Hafeez had been raising questions about the poor infrastructure and alleged mismanagement at local government schools.
On July 19, Hafeez travelled to Delhi to participate in a protest over the NEET paper-leak issue. On August 13, he visited Karishunda Primary School as part of CJP’s School Thik Karo (Fix The School) campaign, raising concerns over its condition.
According to Dey, that same night a group of men allegedly entered Hafeez’s house armed with rods and sticks and attacked him. His father, Sheikh Mohammed Mafiq, was also assaulted when he tried to protect his son.
Both were taken to hospital and discharged.
But, according to Dey, the family was attacked again while returning home. The following day, August 14, they were allegedly confined inside their house by the same group. Mafiq’s condition deteriorated that night. With police assistance, he was taken to hospital. He died during treatment on August 15.
Security guards have now been deployed outside the victim’s house.
According to Dey, Hafeez had been speaking about the condition of government schools for years.
”Even before becoming an active CJP activist, Hafeez was an active voice against the poor condition of schools in his village.” Dey told South First, alleging that the state’s education system has remained in poor condition for the last 15 years, including under successive TMC regimes.
Young activists protest in Bankura district.
He also said that Bankura district is a Hindu-majority district with a strong BJP presence, while Karisunda village has a notable Muslim population.
What Dey believes may have further angered local political activists was Hafeez’s decision to take his concerns to social media. He had shared posts about the condition of schools and was campaigning for better infrastructure and accountability.
”It makes my blood boil that people are being murdered simply for demanding better schools.” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said in a post on X, alleging that the family was attacked by men linked to the BJP. Dipke said a CJP team would travel to West Bengal and work with Hafeez and his family in their fight for justice. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka also condemned the incident and accused the BJP of being behind the attack.
Based on a complaint by Mafiq’s wife, the Indus Police have resistered a case. Eight people have been arrested and produced before a court. The complaint names five people and refers to another eight to ten unidentified persons.
The FIR does not mention the accused’s alleged BJP connection and the police have claimed that no political angle has been established so far.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has also claimed that the accused did not have any connection with his party, even as Dey stressed that the locals identified them as BJP activists.
Dey said the incident reflects a wider concern over the continuing culture of rumours, fear and mob violence in West Bengal.
”The mob-lynching culture of West Bengal needs to stop.” he said, adding that the SFI has announced a statewide protest over the incident and promised legal and financial assistance to the family.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
