Sheikh Abdul Hafiz does not want money from the government. He wants a school built in his father’s name.“My father is no more. What will I do with government compensation? I want the government to build a world-class school in my late father’s name,” Hafiz told the media, days after his father, Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, 55, died following an alleged assault at their home in Karishunda village, Bankura district, West Bengal.
Hafiz had recently returned to Karishunda after participating in a protest in Delhi organised by the Cockroach Janata Party. Back home, he became involved in the CJP’s ‘School Thik Karo’ (Fix the School) campaign, which highlights the condition of government schools. He visited Karishunda Primary School, raised questions about its state, and posted a video on social media.
His family said a group of people entered their home that night, assaulted Hafiz, and allegedly deleted photographs and videos from his mobile phone. Mafik intervened when his son was being attacked and was also beaten. He was taken to Indus Hospital on Aug. 14 and later shifted to Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital, where he died on Aug. 15.
Police registered a case based on the family’s complaint and arrested eight people. Interrogation of the arrested accused continues, and a search is on for others allegedly involved. The family has alleged that BJP-men were behind the attack. The BJP has denied that the accused are party workers.