BJP Calls for West Bengal Strike After Police Clash During Kolkata Protest March
27.08.2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a 12-hour strike in West Bengal on Tuesday, following a violent clash between the police and protesters during a march to the state secretariat, Nabanna. The protest was organized in response to the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
BJP’s Response to Police Action
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar condemned the police action, stating that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government is ignoring the people’s demand for justice. Majumdar said, “We are forced to call for a general strike as this autocratic regime is turning a deaf ear to the voices of the people. Instead of delivering justice, Mamata Banerjee’s police are attacking peace-loving citizens who are simply seeking a safe environment for women.”
The Protest March to Nabanna
The protest march, which began at College Square, saw chaotic scenes as police intercepted the demonstrators. Riot police used teargas, water cannons, and batons to prevent the protesters from reaching the state secretariat. Some protesters responded by throwing stones at the police. The Kolkata Police, anticipating potential unrest, turned Nabanna into a fortress, deploying around 6,000 personnel and using drones to monitor the situation.
TMC’s Allegations and Security Measures
The Trinamool Congress has labeled the protest as a politically motivated move by the BJP to create unrest in the state. They claimed that the organizers, who had not obtained permission for the march, were attempting to incite violence. State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya referred to the march as a “BJP-ABVP plot” and accused the opposition of using the protest to create chaos. The TMC also released videos alleging that the BJP planned to escalate the situation, although the authenticity of these videos remains unverified.
Missing Student Activists and Legal Actions
The Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, raised concerns about the disappearance of four student activists involved in the protest. He claimed that they went missing after midnight and suggested that they might have been detained by the police. The Bengal police later confirmed the arrests, citing public safety concerns and accusing the students of planning violence.
The families of the missing students have since approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking their release.
The BJP’s call for a strike in West Bengal highlights the deepening political tensions in the state following the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College. As the situation unfolds, the state remains on edge, with both political parties accusing each other of exploiting the tragedy for their own agendas. The outcome of this strike and the subsequent legal actions could have significant implications for the political landscape in West Bengal.