Constitutional? Beef not permitted, anti-Muslim hate speech in WB border area

Kirity Roy, Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), & National Convenor, Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI) writes to the Principal Secretary (Home), Government of West Bengal:

***

This letter is for your immediate attention to the unlawful restrictions on agricultural activities that disrupt the livelihood of the poor marginalized villagers at Gangulia of Asaru Gram Panchayat under the Block and Police Station Bagda in North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, by BSF persons attached to 107 Battalion posted at Mostafapur Border Outpost.
Gangulia is a border village where the IBBR road constructed by the CPWD goes through the village used by the people. As the road passes through Gangulia, earlier there was no border fence constructed. But now the BSF had used barbed wire border fencing fitted on bamboo poles on the IBBR. The installed barbed wire on wooden poles had blocked their houses. On the other hand, those who reside in between IBBR and IBP are completely isolated from the mainland.
The Company Commander Mr. Om Prakash Misra and other BSF subordinates reigned terror among the Muslim-populated Gangulia village. Even they are dictating on what food the village people would eat like not allowing beef to be consumed.
The posted BSF personnel do not operate the gate (open and close) as per the schedule and which caused loss to the farmers to sell their produce. Most of the time, the fence gate to access their farmlands remains closed. Their erratic behavior disturbs the agricultural activities which is the only livelihood of most of the villagers. For their own use, BSF persons depute villagers to work for them, which tantamount slavery . The security persons intrude on personal property like they chopped bamboo trees without permission for their own use. The registrar's book is used at the entry point, the villagers have to purchase for BSF which is supposed to be either way. The BSF men prohibited the farmers to cultivate mustard, jute and banana, and if they found it had been, they used poisonous spray to destroy the produce on the field. The Company Commander Om Prakash Misra made fun on Islam religion, restricting the people during namaz (prayer) at the mosque and he had visited the house of the person who performs the namaz. He also used derogatory remarks about the women and men who go for namaz at the mosque.
The ongoing situation perturbed the villagers and for respite, they approached with their complaints to the SDO on 11th November 2022 and BDO on 30th November 2022.
To my utter surprise, nearly two months had passed, the state government officials, the SDO & the BDO, took no action based on their complaints. Their utter failure to respond to the issue is not only challenging their life and livelihood but also violating Article 21 and Article 19 (1)(g), 39(a) and Article 25, right to practice religion of the Constitution of India and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The plight of the villagers and denial of their proper livelihood practices is against Articles 6 (Right to Work), 7 (Right to enjoyment just and favorable condition of work), 9 (Right to Social Security), and 11 (Right to Adequate Standard of living) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). In all these international instruments, the Government of India is a party and has taken a pledge to adhere with.
The inaction of the concerned government line departments, even after lodging the complaint by the victims, also violates Goal number 16 of the UN SDG which speaks of access to justice for all.
I request your urgent intervention in this case by fulfilling the following demands of the villagers:

Villagers should be allowed to use the CPWD road and no restrictions should be imposed on them. The barbed wire border fence they constructed without the approval of the DM of the district should be withdrawn immediately.
The Border Security Force should be posted at the zero point and not inside the village.
Like other places where the border gate is open for 12 hours, it should be implemented here too.
The BSF posted at Mostafapur BOP should immediately allow the villagers to have access to their lands in the enclosed area.
Villagers should be duly compensated for the loss that they are incurring due to the illegal restrictions by the BSF.
BSF should be instructed to follow their rules and not adhere to the prohibitory orders made by the local BSF personnel.
The Government of India and the Government of West Bengal should abide by the Chapter III of the Indian Constitution where the fundamental rights of Indian citizenry are enshrined
Disciplinary action should be taken against the BSF Company Commander and all others for imposing illegal restrictions upon the villagers and harassing them.BSF should not restrict the life and livelihood of the villagers, particularly of the farmers.
The villagers should be provided with adequate agricultural support.

I hope this letter clarifies the issue forced upon the villagers and which entails urgent resolution for their livelihood and to stop migration. Please allow me to further provide any information which you may require in resolving the case.

Comments

US-China truce temporary, larger trade war between two economies to continue

By Prabir Purkayastha The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan, South Korea on 30 October 2025 may have brought about a temporary relief in the US-China trade war. But unless we see the fine print of the agreement, it is difficult to assess whether this is a temporary truce or the beginning of a real rapprochement between the two nations. The jury is still out on that one and we will wait for a better understanding of what has really been achieved in Busan.

Mergers and privatisation: The Finance Minister’s misguided banking agenda

By Thomas Franco The Finance Minister has once again revived talk of merging two or three large public sector banks to make them globally competitive. Reports also suggest that the government is considering appointing Managing Directors in public sector banks from the private sector. Both moves would strike at the heart of India’s public banking system . Privatisation undermines the constitutional vision of social and economic justice, and such steps could lead to irreversible damage.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Political misfires in Bihar: Reasons behind the Opposition's self-inflicted defeat

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The Bihar Vidhansabha Election 2025 verdict is out. I maintained deliberate silence about the growing tribe of “social media” experts and their opinions. Lately, these do not fascinate me. Anyone forming an opinion solely on the basis of these “experts” lives in a fool’s paradise. I do not watch them, nor do I follow them on Twitter. I stayed away partly because I was not certain of a MahaGathbandhan victory, even though I wanted it. But my personal preference is not the issue here. The parties disappointed.

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup* Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Search This Blog