Bankura: CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka Visits Abdul Hafiz’s Family After Father’s Death, Says ‘We Are Not Afraid of BJP Goons’
A delegation from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by national co-convener and spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, visited Karisumba village in West Bengal’s Bankura district on Monday to meet the family of Sheikh Abdul Hafiz.
A delegation from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by national co-convener and spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, visited Karisumba village in West Bengal’s Bankura district on Monday to meet the family of Sheikh Abdul Hafiz. The visit comes after Hafiz’s father, Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, died from injuries sustained during an alleged home attack over the weekend, sparking political friction in the region.
Addressing the media and local residents in Bankura, Ranka asserted that the fight for educational reform is a national movement and condemned the violence aimed at political volunteers. "It is not just the responsibility of CJP but of the entire country," Ranka stated. "Everyone in this country who is fighting for educational reform, we stand with them and support them. We are not afraid of BJP goons; this hooliganism will not be tolerated anymore. If BJP workers anywhere in the country think that they can intimidate us through violence, we are not going to be scared." CJP's Ashutosh Ranka Alleges BJP Planning Violence During His Bengal Visit.
The confrontation traces back to August 13, when Hafiz visited a local primary school in Karisunda as part of the CJP's nationwide "School Theek Karo" (Fix the Schools) campaign to inspect educational infrastructure. Later that evening, a group of armed assailants allegedly stormed Hafiz's residence. While Hafiz managed to escape, his 46-year-old father, Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, was severely beaten while attempting to intervene.
Mafik was initially rushed to a local health center before being transferred to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night. Following a formal complaint lodged by Mafik's mother, Hasina Begum, law enforcement officers registered a murder case and arrested eight individuals in connection with the assault. All eight suspects were produced before a local district court as police investigations continue. CJP Team to Visit West Bengal Over Abdul Hafiz’s Father’s Death After Alleged Assault in Bankura, Demand Justice.
Ashutosh Ranka Slams BJP After Volunteer’s Father Beaten to Death
VIDEO | Bankura: CJP delegation led by national co-convener Ashutosh Ranka visits Sheikh Abdul Hafiz's family in Karisumba village.
He says, "It is not just the responsibility of CJP but of the entire country. Everyone in this country who is fighting for educational reform, we… pic.twitter.com/y5JsYgySp1
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2026
The incident has triggered sharp reactions across political lines. Organizations such as the Indian Youth Congress have extended legal assistance to Hafiz's family, demanding strict accountability for all suspects named in the First Information Report (FIR). Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has rejected allegations connecting the party to the attack. Senior state BJP figures maintained that the party has no organizational link to the perpetrators, stating that those arrested are criminals who must face the full course of the law. State police officials confirmed that raids are ongoing to apprehend any remaining suspects involved in the attack.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2026 04:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
