Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Abhishek Banerjee alleged on Saturday that the “goons” of the Bharatiya Janata Get together (BJP) set fireplace to the house of Swapna Barma, “the primary Indian heptathlete to win an Asian Video games Gold Medal for the nation.”
In an X submit addressed to Barman, he wrote, “India FAILED YOU, pricey Swapna. @Swapna_Barman96.”
Abhishek Banerjee stated, “The primary Indian heptathlete to win an Asian Video games Gold Medal for the nation, Swapna Barman carried India’s flag with delight on the worldwide stage.”
“She later joined the Trinamool Congress with the hope of serving individuals and was our candidate from Rajganj Meeting Constituency in Jalpaiguri,” he added.
“Yesterday [May 15], @BJP4Bengal GOONS SET FIRE TO HER HOME. Let that sink in,” Abhishek Banerjee alleged within the submit on X.
Whereas sharing a video, Banerjee stated, “An athlete who introduced glory to the nation is being repaid with violence, intimidation and concern – just because she selected to face with the Trinamool Congress.”
“THIS is the grim actuality below @BJP4India’s watch. THIS is the ‘Parivartan’ they promised,” he stated whereas slamming the social gathering which just lately got here to energy in West Bengal with a thumping majority.
“The @BJP4India govt should reply. This CANNOT turn into the brand new regular. If supporting the Trinamool Congress now means risking your security, your loved ones and even your house, WHERE ARE WE HEADED, AS A NATION?,” Banerjee’s social media submit learn.
He concluded by saying, “If that is how an athlete who introduced glory to India is handled for her political decisions, the state of democracy ought to fear EVERY Indian.”
What did Barman say?
Banerjee’s assertion got here a day after Barman alleged {that a} property owned by her, constructed of corrugated tin and situated subsequent to the home she at present resides in, was set on fireplace by unidentified miscreants, information company PTI reported.
As per the report, the affected property was inhabited by a brother of the athlete who, she alleged, was receiving dying threats from “unidentified goons” within the aftermath of the Could 4 declaration of meeting ballot outcomes.
In response to ETV Bharat, Barman, whereas standing outdoors the police station, stated, “At first, I believed somebody was joking once they instructed me concerning the fireplace. I by no means imagined anybody would truly set the home on fireplace,” she stated.
“I didn’t see who did it. However I really feel somebody very near me is behind this,” she was quoted as saying.
The district police reportedly confirmed the blaze and said that it was doused by the firefighting personnel. They stated they’ve launched a probe into the incident.
Who’s Swapna Barman?
Barman gained the historic gold medal within the ladies’s heptathlon on the 2018 Asian Video games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. She created historical past by changing into the primary Indian heptathlete to attain this milestone.
She additionally gained gold within the Heptathlon on the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships. In August 2019, she was honoured with the Arjuna Award.
She joined the TMC on February 27 this 12 months and contested the meeting elections from Rajganj in Jalpaiguri district, however was humbled by BJP’s Dinesh Sarkar with a margin of over 21,000 votes, information company ANI reported.
The Rajbanshi athlete can also be a former worker of the North Frontier Railway within the Alipurduar division.
She was dismissed from service for flouting authorities service guidelines, which prohibit workers from political involvement, after it was discovered that she joined the TMC, with out formally resigning first.
(With inputs from businesses)