BJP calls for 12-hour Bengal bandh over police action during Nabanna Abhijan March
The BJP has called for a 12-hour Bengal bandh on August 28 to protest against alleged police brutality during the Nabanna Abhijan March in Kolkata. The bandh, led by West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, aims to highlight the government's failure to address the alleged rape-murder case of a doctor. The ruling TMC condemned the bandh and accused the BJP of inciting anarchy. Clashes between protesters and police left people from both sides injured and over 200 people arrested. Meanwhile, tension has escalated in the state.
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INDC Network : West Bengal: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for a 12-hour Bangla Bandh on Wednesday, August 28, to protest the incidents that took place during a march called "Nabanna Abhijana" to the state secretariat in Kolkata on Tuesday. The bandh was aimed at protesting against the allegedly "brutal" police action against the protesters. The BJP kept the bandh duration from 6 am to 6 pm. The bandh was called by West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, and BJP president JP Nadda also supported the decision.
The protest was against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The protesters were demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. During this, the protesters tried to reach "Nabanna", where the state secretariat is located.
Violence and chaos broke out during this protest on the streets of Kolkata, following which the BJP called for a 12-hour bandh. BJP president JP Nadda condemned the action of the Kolkata Police, saying that "In Didi's West Bengal, it is more important to help rapists and criminals, but raising voice for the safety of women has become a crime."
The protest on Tuesday was organised by the Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj and Sangrami Joutha Manch, organisations of state government employees who are agitating to demand that their dearness allowance (DA) be made equal to the central government counterparts. The rally started from Kolkata's College Square and the protesters tried to gather at Howrah's Santragachhi area.
Clashes broke out between the police and protesters during this protest, in which several people were injured. Clashes also took place in areas near MG Road, Hastings Road, and Prinsep Ghat. 29 policemen and several protesters were injured in this clash. Police used lathicharge, water cannon and tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Following the incident, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar called for a bandh, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongly criticised the bandh. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said that the BJP has supported the protest and its aim is to create chaos. He alleged that miscreants disguised as student society created massive disturbance during the protest.
The TMC also claimed that the BJP called for the bandh to spread anarchy in the state. The police arrested more than 200 people in this case, of which 126 were members and supporters of the West Bengal Students' Society. These included 33 women as well.
The Kolkata Police was accused of using excessive force against the protesters and trying to suppress their voice. JP Nadda criticized Mamata Banerjee, saying that she has kept silent in the case of a heinous crime against a woman and repressive action is being taken against those who raise their voice for justice.
Senior Bengal minister Chandrima Bhattacharya supported the police action, saying that the police did a commendable job in controlling the crowd despite provocation during the Nabanna campaign. She said that the TMC government is committed to maintaining peace and order in the state, and the BJP's call for this bandh is aimed only at political gain.
