TMC Leader Declares Bangla Bandh A Complete Failure
On the BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bangla Bandh,’ TMC leader Kunal Ghosh pointed out that the BJP bandh is a complete failure.
Bangla Bandh Live Updates: During a press conference, Meeraj Khalid, Joint Commissioner of Police (Kolkata) stated that 64 people were taken into custody during the bandh today and several leaders were detained.
VIDEO | Bengal Bandh: “Today 64 people have been arrested during the bandh. Some leaders have also been detained and further action will be taken as per their involvement,” says Meeraj Khalid, Joint Commissioner of Police (HQ), Kolkata Police during a press conference.
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— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 28, 2024
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#WATCH | On BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’: TMC leader Kunal Ghosh says, “The BJP bandh is a complete flop. We also want justice in the RG Kar case. Just one person was arrested by the Calcutta police, the CBI could not arrest even 1 person till now. Today, the bandh is completely… pic.twitter.com/1HvAKhtI6K
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
Nabanna Abhiyan Participant Says “I was prepared to die”
Balram Bose, who joined the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ rally yesterday, stated that he is concerned for the safety of women as he has female members in his family too. “I was prepared to die if required”, he adds.
#WATCH | Kolkata: Balram Bose, who took part in the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ march yesterday, says, “The agitation was called by students but it was said that one individual from every household should join it. I too have women in my house. So, we should be concerned for their safety.… https://t.co/25ejt95Dd8 pic.twitter.com/trqbGREtGa
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
BJP Workers Clashes With Police
BJP Workers clashed with police forces at multiple locations throughout West Bengal as they tried to enforce a 12-hour shutdown, which had a varied effect across the state. Several BJP leaders, including former MPs Roopa Ganguly, Locket Chatterjee, Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, and MLA Agnimitra Paul, were held for obstructing roads since morning.
West Bengal BJP Chief Reacts On President’s Remarks
Reacting to President Murmu’s remarks, Union Minister and WB BJP Chief Sukanta Majumdar stated that the incident is a matter of significant concern and is notably different from other cases.
VIDEO | “The whole country is concerned over the incident that happened at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The honourable President has expressed her concerns about the incident and we also feel that it is a great concern. As I have mentioned in my press conference, this… pic.twitter.com/crOYbJLLAM
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 28, 2024
BJP MP Sudhanshu Tiwari Attacks Mamata Government
Attacking Mamata Government, BJP MP Sudhandhu Trivedi said that he wants to question the West Bengal government on how many capital punishments have been imposed in rape cases. “Provide us with your conviction rate”, he adds. He emphasized that the crimes taking place in West Bengal not only strikes a severe blow to the victim in the rape and murder case but also to the spirit of the constitution.
He alleged that the Banerjee-led government attempted to mislead the probe, safeguard the accused, and wipe out evidence.
#WATCH | On the protest over RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi says, “…After the attempt to mislead the probe, save accused and destroy evidence, now a new strategy to threaten Doctors can be seen…CM did a PC and said ‘I don’t… pic.twitter.com/XAuXTd67Fv
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
President Murmu Reacts On Kolkata Rape-Murder
Declaring ‘Enough is Enough’, President Droupadi Murmu urges the nation to wake up, act, and end crimes against women. Referring to the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata on August 9, President Murmu expressed deep dismay and horror at the series of crimes happening against women.
STORY | ‘Enough is enough’: anguished President Murmu asks nation to wake up, end crimes against women
READ: https://t.co/oEOSvjyrWk pic.twitter.com/Y1XPy7KkUs
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 28, 2024
Doctors Under West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front Stages Protest
Doctors under the banner of West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front also staged a protest rally from Kolkata’s Shyambazar to Esplanade in solidarity with Kolkata Trainee Doctor’s rape and murder.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Doctors under the banner of West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front take out a protest march from Shyambazar to Dharamtala demanding justice for woman doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital pic.twitter.com/a4fKK9CQAW
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
BJP Workers Clash With Police, Vandalize Barriers
In Kolkata, West Bengal, BJP workers damaged police barriers on MG Road during the party’s protest and 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ call.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | BJP workers vandalise police barriers placed at MG Road during party’s protest and 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ call pic.twitter.com/SARXMA27Rv
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
BJP Leader Locket Chatterjee Detained
Police detained BJP leader Locket Chatterjee at Kolkata’s Bata Chowk after she joined the protest following the party’s call for a 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh.’
#WATCH | West Bengal | Police detains BJP leader Locket Chatterjee who joined protest after BJP’s call for 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ at Kolkata’s Bata Chowk pic.twitter.com/kNKg9cDK4H
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
Police detained BJP leader Locket Chatterjee at Kolkata’s Bata Chowk after she joined the protest following the party’s call for a 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh.’
#WATCH | West Bengal | Police detains BJP leader Locket Chatterjee who joined protest after BJP’s call for 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ at Kolkata’s Bata Chowk pic.twitter.com/kNKg9cDK4H
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
Calcutta HC Rejects Plea Opposing BJP’s 12-Hour Strike
The Calcutta High Court on Friday refused to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that aimed to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from holding a strike in West Bengal. The PIL questioned the legality of the strike, but the court dismissed it, stating it was not valid. This decision permits the BJP to go ahead with its planned strike in the state.
State Bus Drivers Use Helmets For Safety
All drivers of NBSTC buses in Uttar Dinajpur are found with helmets. One such driver reveals, “Today, because of bandh we are putting this helmet. The government has instructed us to do so keeping in mind various safety reasons.”
#WATCH | BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’: Drivers of North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses seen wearing helmets, in Uttar Dinajpur
A bus diver says, “We are wearing the helmet as bandh has been called today…The government has ordered us to wear the helmets for… pic.twitter.com/TgEPJyD5zb
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
BJP Announces 12-hr Strike
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a 12-hour strike in West Bengal on Wednesday, August 28, to protest against what they describe as “brutal” police action on “peaceful” protesters during the Nabanna Abhijan march to the state secretariat in Kolkata on Tuesday. The BJP has declared a Bangla bandh from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 28.
The protesters were trying to reach ‘Nabanna’ to demand West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation over the alleged rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
Violence and chaos broke out in Kolkata when a protest rally went off course. In response, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumder called for a 12-hour bandh in the state.
JP Nadda Criticizes Kolkata Police As BJP Protests Over Nabanna Abhijan
BJP President JP Nadda criticized the Kolkata Police for their alleged harsh treatment of protesters, saying, “In Didi’s West Bengal, helping rapists and criminals is valued.”
On Tuesday, the Nabanna Abhijan was organized by an unregistered students’ group, Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, and the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, an organization of state government employees who have been demanding their Dearness Allowance be equal to that of Central government employees.
The rally started from College Square in Kolkata with increased security around the West Bengal state secretariat, and protesters gathered in the Santragachi area in Howrah.
In response to the BJP’s call for a shutdown, senior Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said, “From the start, we have claimed that the Chhatra Samaj-sponsored Nabanna Abhijan was supported by the BJP. This was evident in how troublemakers pretending to be student protesters caused major disruptions today. The BJP quickly called for a bandh to create more disturbances.”
Bangla Bandh Today Over Nabanna Abhijan Clashes: 10 Key Points
- Clashes broke out between police and protesters in Kolkata and neighboring Howrah on Tuesday as the protesters tried to get past barricades to march towards the West Bengal secretariat, ‘Nabanna’.
- The BJP called for a general strike on Wednesday, but the ruling Trinamool Congress criticized this decision, claiming it aimed to create chaos.
- Over 200 people were arrested in connection with the Nabanna Abhijan rally.
- Clashes occurred at MG Road, Hastings Road, Princep Ghat, Santragachi, and Howrah Maidan, injuring some protesters and 29 police officers.
- Kolkata Police used lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse protesters who threw stones and tried to breach barricades blocking their way to the secretariat.
- Later, police used tear gas and lathi charges against BJP leaders and supporters who marched towards Kolkata Police headquarters Lalbazar, demanding the release of students arrested during the rally. The police action followed attempts by BJP supporters to break through barricades.
- JP Nadda criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying the police actions in Kolkata have upset those who care about democracy. He accused Banerjee of staying silent about the crime against a woman and misleading her parents.
Also Read: Kolkata Protests: Tear Gas And Water Cannons Ignite BJP’s Bengal Bandh
