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Mandal, a former police officer, lost his job during the period of leftist government in West Bengal after protecting Mamata Banerjee, then leader of the Congress party and now the chief minister. (image: PTI file)
During Banerjee’s Mahakaran campaign, 27-year-old Mandal, armed and on duty, intervened to protect Banerjee during a surprise lathi charge ordered by the then Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Dinesh Vajpayee.
Sirajul Hak Mandal, a resident of Gaigata in South 24 Parganas, still lives a life of regret. Mandal, a former police officer, lost his job during the period of leftist government in West Bengal after protecting Mamata Banerjee, then leader of the Congress party and now the chief minister.
Despite the past years and the change in government, Mandal’s hope of a job return, fueled by Banerjee’s rise, did not materialize.
Residing in village panchayat in Bhadradanga, Ishapur, Mandal’s story dates back to 21 July 1993.
During Banerjee’s Mahakaran campaign, the 27-year-old Mandal, armed and on duty, intervened to protect Banerjee during a surprise lati-charge ordered by the then Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Dinesh Vajpayee. In a bold move, Mandal pointed his gun at Vajpayee, threatening to shoot him if the violence did not stop.
In the aftermath, Mandal is deposed after three years of psychological torture for insubordination against a senior officer. After several failed legal attempts to regain his position later, the financially exhausted Mandal was forced to withdraw his application, and resorted to paid day labor to support his mother and sister.
Despite his appeals to Urban Development Minister Farhad al-Hakim and even Banerjee herself, his pleas to reinstate the position have remained unanswered since 2019.
Mandal remains optimistic, saying, “I’m still hopeful about getting a job back. I lost the job because I saved her. I believe she will get my job back one day.” But that change hasn’t come to me. I’m living a terrible life with my family. I’m still waiting for her call.”
Before July 21, Mandal’s voice echoes with regret, his agonizing anticipation continues, encapsulated in the poignant phrase, “The Living Martyr.”
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