A wave of tension is sweeping through Kolkata as a planned student protest march, known as the ‘Nabanna Abhijan,’ has been deemed illegal by authorities and is set to be met with a heavy security presence. The march, organized by the newly formed ‘Chatra Samaj,’ seeks justice for the recent rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar hospital. The group also demands the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, holding her accountable for what they perceive as the government’s failure to protect citizens and ensure justice.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Kolkata police have labeled the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally as an “illegal” attempt to provoke unrest in the state. Additional Commissioner of Police Kolkata, Supratim Sarkar, stated that the application by ‘Paschimbanga Chhatro Samaj’ to hold the rally was rejected due to the group’s failure to seek formal permission and provide adequate details.
The potential disruption to normal life has led several educational institutions to conduct online classes or declare a holiday on Tuesday. Police officials have cited intelligence suggesting potential infiltration of the protest by miscreants aiming to instigate widespread violence and disorder. As a preventative measure, the government has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS around the state secretariat, restricting gatherings of five or more people.
Over 6,000 police officers have been deployed to maintain law and order, with 19 locations designated for barricades. The TMC has accused the opposition BJP of orchestrating the rally to cause chaos, presenting purported videos of BJP leaders allegedly planning to incite violence. The party further claims that no student body would disrupt the future of students by staging a protest on the day of an examination.
Chatra Samaj has assured that their planned march will not disrupt the UGC-NET candidates, as the exam is scheduled in two shifts. The Kolkata Police has also stated that they have ensured adequate police presence on the roads to facilitate the smooth movement of candidates to their examination centers.
The ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ has become a focal point of political tension in Kolkata, with both the ruling party and the opposition accusing each other of inciting violence and using the protest for political gain. The heavy security deployment and the ongoing accusations highlight the volatile atmosphere surrounding the event.
