On March 5, an elderly Muslim man, Mafikul Islam, from Tofapur village in Farakka, Murshidabad district, was brutally assaulted by a Hindu woman on the Balurghat Express train.
A viral video of the incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media. The footage shows the woman repeatedly slapping Mafikul Islam, who was traveling from Dhulian station to Malda for work, where he sells Ayurvedic medicines. The confrontation reportedly began at Farakka station and quickly escalated.
The woman accused Mafikul Islam of filming her, though no evidence has surfaced to support this claim. According to Mafikul, he has little experience with mobile phones, and the woman forcibly grabbed his phone, smashed it, and then subjected him to verbal abuse and physical assault.
He stated that he was unable to defend himself or even speak during the attack. Another passenger recorded the video, which further fueled criticism online. The incident has led to outrage and debates about communal tensions and public safety.
The controversy intensified when BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari shared the video on his Facebook page and praised the woman’s actions, prompting severe backlash.
Following the attack, an FIR has been filed against the woman, and authorities have launched an investigation into the matter. Mafikul Islam, deeply shaken, expressed his shock and fear, emphasizing that he was simply traveling for work and had no ill intentions.
The incident has raised concerns about respect, dignity, and communal harmony in India, highlighting how violence can erupt in everyday situations.
