Kolkata: Tensions soared in Kolkata on Tuesday as protesters clashed with police during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ march. The rally, organised by the Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj (West Bengal Student Society), was held to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in response to the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The protest turned chaotic as demonstrators attempted to breach barricades, threw stones, and were met with a lathi charge by the police near Howrah Bridge. Police also used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors.
BJP President JP Nadda criticised the Kolkata police for their handling of the protest, alleging prioritisation of criminals under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government. The BJP has called a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on Wednesday to protest the police action against the march participants. BJP Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia labelled Banerjee as a dictator and demanded her resignation. The saffron camp’s action came after the Kolkata Police used batons, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd who proceeded to Nabanna.
In response to the situation, TMC MP Mahua Moitra defended the police, stating on X that the BJP’s protest against police actions was a political tactic aimed at undermining the Chief Minister. She claimed the BJP’s real intent was to seize power rather than seek justice.
"Police gets bricks thrown at them, SHO’s head split, policemen hurt. And BJP calls bandh to protest police atrocities. They don’t want justice. They just want to grab CM’s chair without winning polls," Mahua Moitra wrote on X.
The BJP has accused Banerjee of shielding those involved in the alleged crime and has called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a polygraph test on her. The party condemned the police's response to the protest and continues to call for Banerjee’s resignation.