The group renewed its campaign at a Kolkata press conference, demanding that a government school be established in Mafik’s name, stronger action against all those accused in the August attack, and an independent examination of alleged failures by police and local authorities. CJP representatives have also sought a meeting with the West Bengal chief secretary before the deadline expires.
Mafik, father of CJP volunteer Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, died on August 15 after an assault at the family’s home in Karishunda village in Bankura district. The attack followed Hafiz’s visit to Karishunda Paschimpara Primary School as part of the organisation’s “School Thik Karo” campaign, under which volunteers document conditions at government schools.
Hafiz has said he wants a school built in his father’s memory rather than financial compensation. He and CJP leaders argue that the demand reflects the circumstances surrounding the confrontation because his inspection of the school and efforts to highlight deficiencies preceded the assault on his family.
The CJP has accused people linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party of involvement in the attack. That allegation remains contested. BJP leaders have denied that the party was responsible while condemning the killing and calling for action against anyone found involved. Police have made multiple arrests in the case.
Bankura police had arrested eight people soon after Mafik’s death. District Superintendent of Police P V G Satish later said that 11 people had been arrested, while a forensic team visited the family’s home on August 19 as part of the investigation. The CJP has nevertheless maintained that important suspects remain outside custody and has questioned the pace and scope of police action.
At the latest press conference, Hafiz alleged that a person he identified to police on August 25 had still not been arrested and was later seen at a public event in Indas in the presence of police. The claim could not be independently established from official records available publicly. The CJP has cited the episode in support of its demand for an inquiry independent of the local police.
The organisation is also seeking a disciplinary investigation headed by a retired High Court judge, impartial legal action against all identified suspects and greater administrative transparency. Earlier demands included round-the-clock security for Hafiz’s family and the recovery and return of his mobile phone, which he says is relevant to the events surrounding the attack.
CJP joint secretary Prem Akash Golu said the organisation had already allowed the district administration additional time after its initial deadline expired. The group had first given authorities 10 days to meet its demands after a delegation visited Hafiz’s family in August and later submitted a memorandum to Bankura District Magistrate Aneesh Dasgupta.
On August 21, a CJP delegation formally submitted six demands to the district administration, including faster investigation, return of Hafiz’s phone and construction of the proposed school, reinforcing the organisation’s insistence on institutional action.
The September 8 protest threat marks a shift from deadlines and meetings towards a planned mobilisation at the district headquarters. CJP leaders have said the demonstration will proceed if their representatives are not granted a meeting with the chief secretary by September 7 and if the administration does not respond to the outstanding demands.
The underlying case dates to August 13, when Hafiz visited his former primary school to examine basic facilities. His family has alleged that assailants later entered their home and attacked Hafiz and Mafik with sticks and other objects. Mafik was taken for medical treatment and died two days later.
