‘He didn’t have 4 fingers’ claim kin as Abhishek holds Amit Shah-EC responsible for Panihati man suicide

The death of Pradip Kar in Panihati has escalated into a major political flashpoint, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee directly holding Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar responsible. Visiting the deceased's home in Mahajati Nagar, Panihati, Banerjee passionately led the slogan, "Justice for Pradip Kar," and promised that those responsible for the 57-year-old's death would face punishment.

Pradip Kar's body was recovered hanging on Tuesday morning, sparking immediate controversy. The TMC maintains that Kar died by suicide out of sheer panic induced by the threat of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a claim vehemently denied by the opposition BJP. Banerjee's visit on Wednesday injected political fire into the ongoing dispute, transforming the local tragedy into a high-stakes confrontation over citizenship and identity politics in the state.

Addressing the media and the bereaved family, Banerjee lashed out at the central figures, questioning the authority of the CEC and the Home Minister. “Do Gyanesh Kumar and Shah have their father’s and grandfather’s names on the voter list? By what right are they harassing so many people?” he demanded. He further incited the public, advising them to restrain or "tie up" anyone demanding citizenship certificates from them.

The TMC leader emphatically placed the onus of the death on the central leadership: “The responsibility for Pradip Babu’s death lies with Shah and Gyanesh Kumar. We will ensure they are punished.” The narrative established by the TMC is that the constant fear-mongering and lack of clarity surrounding potential NRC implementation drove Kar to take the extreme step.

Beyond the immediate accusation, Abhishek Banerjee used the platform to send a message of reassurance to the entire state population against the citizenship drive. "I fold my hands and request everyone, do not panic, we are still alive," he stated, adding a fierce warning against any attempts to deport long-term residents. He vowed: "We will protect you with our blood. If they exclude even one person through SIR or NRC, one lakh people will surround the Commission."

The incident and the subsequent political rhetoric underscore the volatile atmosphere surrounding the issues of citizenship verification in West Bengal. With the TMC solidifying its stance as the guardian against perceived central government overreach, the death of Pradip Kar is expected to remain a significant emotional and political tool in the ongoing battle between the ruling state party and the BJP.

Meanwhile, the family members of Pradip Kar, prominently his brother-in-law, claimed that Pradip didn't have four fingers in his right hand. He met with an accident and lost four fingers in it. This raised the question of how he wrote the suicide note with a disabled hand. The family members also confirmed that Pradip was in fact a right-handed person.