Kolkata: Political tensions have intensified in West Bengal over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling for a 12-hour shutdown across the state. The shutdown, from 6 am to 6 pm today, is aimed at protesting police actions during the march to the state secretariat, Nabanna, on Tuesday.
The BJP has accused the Mamata Banerjee-led state government of attempting to shield the perpetrators of the crime. Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar has written to the governor, demanding the release of students detained during the protests. However, the Mamata Banerjee government has refused to permit the shutdown and has issued a directive mandating that all employees must attend their offices, warning that any absence will result in a show cause notice.
Meanwhile, the bandh has already sparked confrontations. BJP leader Arjun Singh alleged that six rounds were fired at the vehicle of a BJP leader in Bhatpara. Further tensions erupted when TMC workers allegedly attacked BJP supporters marching in support of the bandh near a children’s school in Krishnanagar, Kolkata, resulting in a clash involving sticks. State Krishna Morcha president Mahadev Sarkar, who was present during the march, was also reportedly assaulted.
In Uttar Dinajpur, drivers of North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses were seen wearing helmets for safety amid concerns of violence. “We are wearing helmets because there is a bandh call today,” said a bus driver, citing government orders for protection.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter, dedicating the foundation day of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad to the victim and offering condolences to her family. She called for justice for all women subjected to such crimes and urged students and youth to remain committed to a bright future. TMC leader Narayan Ghosh accused the BJP of trying to disrupt the state and exploit poor people, asserting that the common people are with Mamata Banerjee.
BJP President JP Nadda criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of crossing “all limits of cruelty” in handling the incident. In response, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh stated that they also want justice and that the matter is now in the hands of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The horrific crime at RG Kar Hospital has sparked widespread outrage, with thousands of protesters taking to the streets under the ‘Nabanna Chalo’ campaign. The police responded with a lathi charge, tear gas, and water cannons, resulting in injuries to over 25 officers and the detention of more than 100 protesters.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose condemned the state’s response, stating that the violent clashes witnessed in Kolkata were a severe blow to democracy. “People were demanding justice with the tricolour, but the Mamata government was playing with democratic rights and national sentiment,” he remarked. Drawing a parallel with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s call for ‘Delhi Chalo’, he said, “People here are giving the slogan of ‘Nabanna Chalo’ for justice.”
Governor Bose further criticised the state government for not allowing peaceful demonstrations, as mandated by the Supreme Court, and accused it of protecting criminals while targeting protesters. “Stop these killer games,” he urged, adding that the people of Bengal want “justice, justice, and only justice.”
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes are on the state government and the political parties as the demand for justice in the trainee doctor’s case grows louder.
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