The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal, from 6 am to 6 pm on August 28. This action is in protest against the alleged police brutality towards students who are demanding justice for the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College. The call for the bandh follows violent clashes between police and protesters during the Nabanna Abhijan march in Kolkata and Howrah on August 27.
The Nabanna Abhijan is a significant protest movement in West Bengal, spearheaded by various student and youth organizations. The name translates to “March to Nabanna,” referencing the state secretariat in Howrah. This movement has a history of intense clashes with police, and the August 27 protest was no exception. Organized by the Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj and the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, the protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They accuse her government of failing to protect citizens and address the growing safety concerns highlighted by the RG Kar case.
The protest march began from various locations in Kolkata and Howrah, leading to violent confrontations with police. Over 20 barricades were set up near the Nabanna building, and police used tactics like applying oil to make them slippery, but the protesters broke through. This led to the police deploying water cannons, tear gas, and lathi charges to disperse the crowd. Drones and robocops were used to monitor the situation, and several protesters were arrested for alleged involvement in violence and conspiracy.
The tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College occurred on August 9. A postgraduate trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered while on duty. The case has sparked widespread protests throughout West Bengal and other states, with students and citizens demanding justice for the victim. In the aftermath of the incident, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the principal of the college, resigned on August 12, citing alleged association with the case. His resignation raised questions about potential mismanagement of funds.
The prime suspect in the crime is Sanjoy Roy, a civic police volunteer. Reports suggest that Roy was seen entering the emergency building at 4 am on the night of the incident, wearing a Bluetooth device. When he left 40 minutes later, the device was missing and was later found near the victim’s body. The police have linked Roy to the crime by pairing the device with his phone. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted lie-detector tests on the prime accused and others involved in the case.
The BJP, while voicing moral support for the student-led protest, has clarified that they are not directly involved in organizing the rally. However, the party’s call for a bandh has been met with criticism from All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) member and Member of Parliament, Mahua Moitra. Moitra alleges that the BJP is forcibly shutting down schools, tweeting about individuals affiliated with the party placing the BJP flag on the closed gate of an institution. The ongoing situation in West Bengal remains tense, with the political landscape further complicated by the BJP’s call for a bandh and the ensuing protests.
