BJP Attacks TMC MP Nusrat Jahan For Valentine’s Day Celebration Amid Sandeshkhali Row

Kolkata: The BJP has hit out at actor-turned-politician Nusrat Jahan for celebrating Valentine’s Day with her husband, actor Yash Dasgupta, amid ongoing unrest at Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal, over allegations of sexual exploitation involving leaders from the ruling party.

“Priorities matter: In Sandeshkhali, women are protesting for their respect. Meanwhile, the TMC MP of Basirhat is celebrating Valentine’s Day,” the Bengal BJP wrote on X (formally Twitter).

In a picturesque scene, featuring the iconic Howrah Bridge as a backdrop on the Ganges, the MP representing Basirhat, which includes Sandeshkhali, is seen wearing a red gown and leaning on Yash, in one of the photos she shared on her official Instagram page. Nusrat participated in a Valentine’s Day themed photo session for a newspaper. Additionally, in a reel, both are depicted holding what appears to be champagne glasses or indulging in chocolates while seated on what seems to be a yacht.

Women in the Sandeshkhali village have been protesting against purported abuses inflicted upon them by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates. The Bengal police on the other hand labeled the accusations of sexual exploitation as “wilful misinformation.” They took to X to claim, “no allegations of sexual torture of women have so far been received”.

Meanwhile, the Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, along with a delegation from the National Commission for Women, visited Sandeshkhali to listen to the grievances of the victims.

Referring to the Sandeshkhali women, a TMC leader Narayan Goswami, during a recent interview, said, “The adivasi or tribal women from Sandeshkhali can be identified by their physique and complexion. However, the women alleging harassment in front of the camera are fair. Can we infer that they are local adivasis?”

Replying to this, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Locket Chatterjee took to X to call his comments “utterly shameful and disgraceful”.