The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Kolkata Police have labeled the planned ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally, scheduled for Tuesday, August 27th, as illegal and a ploy to instigate widespread unrest in Kolkata. The rally, organized by the student group Chhatra Samaj, demands the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
At a press conference in Kolkata, senior West Bengal minister and TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya, along with party leaders Kunal Ghosh and Joyprakash Majumdar, asserted that the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally was unauthorized and a deliberate attempt to disrupt the state’s peace and stability. Bhattacharya emphasized that the rally’s call was issued through social media without proper notification to the police. While acknowledging the demand for justice for the victim and severe punishment for the perpetrators, Bhattacharya emphasized that the demand for the CM’s resignation was politically motivated.
Ghosh questioned the rationale behind the rally’s decision to march to Nabanna, the state secretariat. He raised concerns about potential disruptions, including the influx of outsiders and individuals posing as police officers to incite violence and blame the state police. Ghosh explicitly accused right-wing groups like RSS and ABVP, along with certain leftist elements backed by CPIM, of orchestrating the rally to create chaos.
The TMC expressed serious concerns about the rally’s intentions, citing information about individuals being brought in from outside the state to instigate unrest during the rally. The party also alleged that some participants would wear police uniforms and even fire on people to shift the blame onto the police. Ghosh asserted that BJP, CPM, and Congress were united in their attempt to create anarchy against the TMC and West Bengal.
Meanwhile, West Bengal ADG Police (Law & Order) Manoj Kumar Verma echoed the TMC’s stance, declaring the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ Rally illegal and a potential catalyst for widespread unrest in Kolkata. Verma emphasized that Nabanna is a restricted area requiring prior police permission for any event. He highlighted the absence of any formal application from the organizers and stressed the security measures in place to prevent disruptions, particularly during a national-level exam scheduled for the same day.
Additional Deputy General, South Bengal Supratim Sarkar, further elaborated, stating that despite announcements on social media and in the press, the organizers had failed to seek the mandatory permission required by the High Court. He highlighted the potential for traffic disruption and inconvenience to students taking the exam, justifying the denial of permission.
In response to the government’s stance, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar defended the rally, calling it a peaceful, democratic protest against the government’s inaction. He questioned the rationale behind obstructing the students’ protest, which was announced through a press conference, indicating police awareness. While clarifying that the BJP was not directly organizing the movement, Majumdar affirmed their support for the students and characterized it as a non-political demonstration.
It’s important to note that the Calcutta High Court, earlier on Friday, refused to prohibit the march to the West Bengal state secretariat ‘Nabanna’ on August 27th, asserting that the fundamental right to peaceful protest cannot be curtailed. However, the government and police remain steadfast in their opposition to the rally, citing security concerns and the potential for disruptions.
The situation remains tense with the government and police determined to prevent the rally, while the organizers maintain their intent to proceed with the demonstration. The upcoming days will be crucial in determining how the situation unfolds and whether the protest will take place as planned.
