"Cannot Be Spectators": Smriti Irani Slams Mamata Banerjee on Sandeshkhali | Read

Union Minister Smriti Irani today slammed the Mamata Banerjee government over the allegations of women in south Bengal's Sandeshkhali, declaring that "young Hindu married women" are being targetted by Trinamool Congress goons. The state has been in the eye of a political storm over the allegations of women, who have accused a local Trinamool leader of systematic sexual exploitation. The man in question, Zilla Parishad member Sheikh Shajahan -- also accused of land grabbing -- is on the run. He is also wanted by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged PDS scam. Sandeshkhali, an island in Sundarbans close to the Bangladesh border, has been placed under Prohibitory Orders banning large gatherings. "Young Hindu married women are being deliberately targetted," Ms Irani alleged, reading out what she said were the women's version of events as told to the local media.