The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal on August 28, following police action during the students’ march to the state secretariat, Nabanna. The protestors were met with force, including tear gas, batons, and water cannons by the Kolkata Police, leading the BJP to call for a strike in defiance of the state government.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Police lob tear gas shells to disperse protestors as they agitate in Kolkata over RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.
Visuals near Fort William in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/oMoUOu51Wh
— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024
Clashes Between BJP and Trinamool Congress
The BJP’s bandh call sparked sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). TMC leaders condemned the BJP’s actions, vowing to retaliate with equal force. Despite the pushback, the BJP stood firm, with national leadership backing the strike as a symbol of defiance against what they described as oppression under the Mamata Banerjee government.
Police Justification for Action
Supratim Sarkar, Additional Director General (ADG) of South Bengal, defended the police action, stating that there was intelligence suggesting potential unrest during the protests. He revealed that four individuals were arrested in possession of a firearm, highlighting concerns about violence.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Protestors break away Police barricades, stomp on them, chant slogans and agitate over RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. Visuals near Howrah Bridge. pic.twitter.com/HUDSbDPH8w
— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024
BJP’s Demand for Mamata Banerjee’s Resignation
In addition to protesting police brutality, the BJP demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation. The demand followed the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor at a state-run hospital earlier this month. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar accused Banerjee’s government of ignoring the public’s demand for justice and women’s safety.
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Support from National Leadership
The images of police highhandedness from Kolkata have angered every person who values democratic principles.
In Didi’s West Bengal, to help rapists and criminals is valued but it’s a crime to speak for women’s safety.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) August 27, 2024
BJP national president JP Nadda lent his support to the bandh, expressing outrage over the police response. Nadda took to X (formerly Twitter), stating that the police actions in Kolkata have incited widespread anger, particularly regarding the perceived lack of attention to women’s safety in the state.
