West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday dedicated the foundation day of the party’s student wing, Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, to the victim of the recent brutal rape and murder in Kolkata. The 31-year-old postgraduate trainee at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital was tragically killed earlier this month, sparking widespread outrage and protests across the nation. One suspect is currently in custody.
In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Banerjee wrote, “Today, I dedicate Trinamool Chhatra Parishad Foundation Day to our sister, whom we mourned the tragic loss of at RG Kar Hospital a few days ago [sic].” The message expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the victim’s family, calling for swift justice and condemning the horrific act. Banerjee also extended her sympathy to women across India who have faced similar atrocities.
The Chief Minister’s social media post comes amidst escalating tensions in the state. The Nabanna Abhijan protest rally, held a day earlier, demanding justice for the victim, turned violent, leading to clashes between protestors and police. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal subsequently called for a 12-hour bandh on Wednesday, citing the “violence on the student agitation” during the protest march. However, Mamata Banerjee’s chief advisor, Alapan Bandopadhyay, swiftly refuted the BJP’s call, stating that the government will not allow any bandh in the state. He urged the public to disregard the BJP’s call, assuring them that all measures will be taken to maintain normalcy and ensure that daily life remains unaffected. Authorities confirmed that public transport services, including buses and trains, will operate as usual. Shops, marketplaces, and other businesses have also been instructed to remain open.
The protest rally, organized by Paschim Banga Chatra Samaj and other organizations, started from College Square and proceeded towards the West Bengal Secretariat, ‘Nabanna’. The protest turned chaotic after agitators breached police barricades and engaged in confrontations with officers. Police resorted to using water cannons to disperse the protestors at Santragachi in Howrah.
