Kolkata/IBNS: Three sadhus (religious ascetic) from Uttar Pradesh were assaulted by a mob suspecting them of abductors in West Bengal's Purulia district while they were en route to the Gangasagar Mela, media reports said.

In a video which went viral on social media, one of the sadhus was stripped of his clothes and was harassed while he tries to save his modesty.

In another video, one of the sadhus was folding hands and pleading.

Locals, as reports say, had suspected them of kidnappers while sadhus claimed they were going to Gangasagar Mela, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself earlier this week.

The sadhus had hired a vehicle to reach Gangasagar Mela on the occasion of Makar Sankranti Festival. When they asked for the route, some locals became suspicious and attacked them.

Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Purulia Police said in a statement, ".. there was a misunderstanding between three Gangasagar-bound sadhus with three local minor girls near Kashipur over language problem.

"The girls got scared and local people manhandled the sadhus and damaged their vehicle, alleging a kidnapping attempt. Local police promptly intervened and rescued the sadhus."

The incident has triggered a political slugfest with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of attacking the Hindus.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, "Absolutely shocking incident reported from Purulia in West Bengal. In a Palghar kind lynching, sadhus traveling to Gangasagar for Makar Sankranti, were stripped and beaten by criminals, affiliated with the ruling TMC.

"In Mamata Banerjee’s regime, a terrorist like Shahjahan Sheikh gets state protection and sadhus are being lynched. It is a crime to be a Hindu in West Bengal."

Rebutting the claims, police said, "Facts are being misrepresented from certain quarters about a recent incident in Purulia."

"There is no communal overtone whatsoever regarding the incident. Anyone trying to fuel communal passions will be strictly dealt with as per law," it added.