By Firstdespatch Desk Aug 22, 2026
Agartala, Aug 22 (FD) An ISKCON monk, Jayanta Datta, also known as Janardhan Gobinda Das, was allegedly assaulted in Charilam on Friday night and is currently undergoing treatment at Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital with serious injuries.
According to local sources, Jayanta Datta had reportedly obtained prior permission from Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Binky Saha to organise a week-long Jhulon Jatra festival at Charilam Market and had been making preparations for the event.
However, the proposed programme allegedly led to a dispute with local BJP leaders and members associated with the Charilam market area. It was alleged that a group of miscreants, led by Charilam BJP Mandal president Tapas Das, attacked Jayanta Datta on Friday night and severely assaulted him.
Local residents reportedly intervened and rescued the injured monk before taking him to Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital, where he remains under treatment.
Meanwhile, BJP Mandal activists in Bishalgarh presented a different version of the incident while speaking to sections of the media. They alleged that the dispute arose over the organisation of a separate Jhulon Jatra programme at Charilam Market, where the market committee had already made arrangements for a similar event.
According to their version, Jayanta Datta had been requested not to organise a separate programme, but a heated argument subsequently broke out between him and members of the market committee. They claimed that the altercation later escalated, resulting in the assault.
The BJP Mandal activists also levelled several allegations against Jayanta Datta, including claims regarding his past conduct. These allegations could not be independently verified.
They further claimed that police personnel intervened in the incident, rescued him from the spot and facilitated his admission to the hospital.
The police version of the incident could not be obtained, as the Officer-in-Charge of Bishalgarh Police Station was unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report.
Further details regarding the incident, including whether any formal complaint or case has been registered, are awaited. FD JK