In a gruesome incident of political violence, a woman in Murshidabad, West Bengal, was fed acid by her Trinamool supporting husband and in-laws for voting for Congress in the Lok Sabha elections. Makhan Bibi is currently fighting for her life at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital.
Makhan Bibi’s son, Rafzal, said, “My mother was pulled back home by her hair after she emerged from inside the booth. I tried to protect her but my father, grandfather and uncles locked me inside a room. From there I saw them forcing apart her mouth and pouring acid in it.” He claimed that he and his sister were also beaten up for trying to intervene. During the scuffle, the acid also fell on his sister’s cheeks.
As per reports, Makhan Bibi and her in-laws were divided along political lines. Her maternal family were traditional Congress voters and she had expressed her desire to vote for Congress. However, it did not go down well with her husband and in-laws who are TMC supporters. Accounts apparently differ about what transpired afterwards.
According to her in-laws, she simply drank the acid while her son in his political complaint alleged that she was force fed the acid by her in-laws. According to the Police, however, the violence was a family matter and not related to politics in any manner.
Political violence has been rampant in West Bengal ever since campaigning began for the elections. It has only increased in frequency since polling began. However, Makhan Bibi’s ordeal appears to be unlike anything witnessed yet.