Kolkata Nabanna March Highlights

Violent confrontations erupted between demonstrators and law enforcement in the streets of Kolkata and Howrah on Tuesday, resulting in numerous injuries as police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and faced a barrage of stones and bricks. The administration aimed to restrict the student-led march to Nabanna, the Bengal secretariat, which was organized in response to the rape-murder case at RG Kar hospital.

According to police reports, at least 37 officers sustained injuries during clashes at five primary locations: "Howrah Bridge-MG Road, Hastings-Prinsep Ghat, Santragachhi on the outskirts of the city, Foreshore Road-Mandirtala and Howrah Maidan-Mullick Fatak." The confrontations began when the protesters encountered police barricades at each of these sites. Many demonstrators were also injured and required hospitalization, although an official count was not available by late evening.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has questioned approximately twelve police officers from Kolkata in connection with the rape and murder investigation at RG Kar Hospital. The agency is expected to call in additional officers from the nearby Tala police station for further questioning. According to CBI officials, the upcoming round of interrogations will concentrate on allegations that individuals not affiliated with law enforcement were present at the crime scene when the police initially arrived.

In the aftermath of the violent turn of events during the 'Nabanna Abhiyaan' rally in Kolkata, Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda launched a scathing attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of surpassing all boundaries of "cruelty and dictatorship" in the state. Nadda strongly condemned the violence and repression inflicted upon the doctors, youth, and women of Bengal by the Mamata Banerjee government and her police force, labeling their actions as not only deplorable but also a disgrace to humanity.

Nadda highlighted Mamata Banerjee's silence in the face of a brutal rape case in West Bengal, where the dignity of a woman was shattered, and the victim's parents were misled. He criticized the chief minister for remaining silent and resorting to extreme measures of cruelty to protect the perpetrators when the youth of the country attempted to raise their voice against the injustice through the 'Nabanna Abhiyaan'. The government deployed a massive police force of over 6,000 personnel, sealed the Howrah Bridge, and unleashed lathi-charges and water cannons on the protesting students on the streets of Bengal.

"Despite being a woman chief minister, Mamata ji has completely failed to ensure the safety of the women of Bengal," Nadda said on Tuesday.

In response to the situation, Nadda announced that the BJP has called for a 12-hour Bengal bandh starting from 6 am on Wednesday. He expressed confidence that the people of Bengal will stand united with the party and spare no effort in shattering Mamata Banerjee's pride and creating an environment to overthrow such an oppressive government.

Nadda reiterated his stance, emphasizing that the West Bengal Chief Minister had crossed all boundaries of cruelty and dictatorship in the state.

On Tuesday, BJP president J P Nadda strongly criticized the alleged excessive use of force by the Kolkata police against protesters who were demonstrating against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. Nadda accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of prioritizing the protection of rapists and criminals over the safety of women in West Bengal. His remarks came in response to the police's use of lathi-charges, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse protesters who were throwing stones and bricks at security forces and attempting to breach barricades blocking their path to the state secretariat.

Nadda expressed his outrage at the images of police highhandedness from Kolkata, stating that they have angered everyone who values democratic principles. "In Didi's West Bengal, to help rapists and criminals is valued but it's a crime to speak for women's safety," he said on X, accusing the Kolkata police of suppressing people's voices demanding justice.

Furthermore, Nadda alleged that Banerjee has remained silent in the face of the heinous crime against the woman and the way her parents were misled. He accused her of crossing all boundaries of ruthlessness and dictatorship to protect the accused, highlighting that the Howrah Bridge was sealed off and over 6,000 police officers were deployed to confront the young protesters.

The Kolkata Police issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the bike used by Sanjay Roy, the primary suspect in the rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The bike was registered under the name of the Kolkata Commissioner of Police, which led to some confusion on social media. The police clarified that "all government vehicles belonging to Kolkata Police are officially registered under the Commissioner of Police."

The Kolkata Police shared this information on the social media platform X, explaining that the bike used by Sanjay Roy, which was seized by the police before being handed over to the CBI, was indeed registered under the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata. They emphasized that this is a standard practice for all government vehicles assigned to various units within the Kolkata Police.
As a civic volunteer at the medical college and hospital, Sanjay Roy had been assigned the vehicle in question.

In a related development, a team of experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Delhi arrived in Kolkata on August 24 to conduct polygraph tests on Sanjay Roy, former principal at RG Kar Medical College, Sandip Ghosh, and others connected to the case, as reported by ANI sources. The main accused underwent the test while in jail, while the others were summoned to the CBI office in Kolkata for the same purpose. (ANI)

On the 'Nabanna Abhiyaan' rally, father of the deceased of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case says "I am standing in support of the students who are protesting for my daughter. I am very proud that the students have taken such a risk and are out today for my daughter. They should intensify their protest and should keep demanding justice."

Amid a large number of youths taking part in Tuesday's march towards West Bengal secretariat Nabanna, a few faces were an odd lot – middle-aged or elderly, but as committed as the others. The rally, which turned violent leading to injury to both protestors and police personnel, was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a young woman doctor inside a state-run hospital in Kolkata recently.

Kolkata and the adjacent Howrah witnessed large-scale violence on Tuesday as protests over the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College turned into pitched battles between demonstrators and the police.

Large-scale violence on the streets of Kolkata and adjacent Howrah marred the cries for justice for the RG Kr hospital victim on Tuesday afternoon after protestors, aiming to reach the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna, fought pitched battles with the police at multiple stoppage points. The violence, which lasted for nearly four hours, led to several injuries on both sides with senior police officers and women protestors among those who were hurt. More than 200 people were arrested from across the state, police said.

In response to growing concerns over the safety of women doctors, Karnataka Minister for Medical Education & Skill Development, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, convened a crucial meeting with officials and key stakeholders at the Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMC&RI) on Tuesday.

The discussions focused on bolstering security across medical institutions, following national outrage over the recent rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata.

Minister Patil emphasized the government's commitment to safeguard the medical professionals, particularly women, by enhancing existing security measures.

On 'Nabanna Abhiyaan' rally, West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose said, "I would say disproportionate force and coercive power was used by the state in dealing with the situation, ignoring the Supreme Court's own pronouncements that the state power shall not be unleashed against peaceful protesters. This is the ghastly sight which we saw today on the streets of Kolkata. Certainly, this cannot be appreciated in any manner. As Governor, I am watching, I have taken my own inference. Right at the moment, I have difficulties in making my decisions public. The gravity of the situation is such that all players in public life feel like coming together and challenging the irresponsible behaviour of the government. The situation is far from normal. The response of the government is also far from normal. CBI is the premier investigating agency of the government. I don't want to comment on their investigation at this stage at all. People have a right to get justice. They should get justice. Government has a duty to ensure that justice is given to the people. Stop this murderous game. Government has to take the initiative for this. People want justice. Today on the streets, the government has insulted the national flag, national sentiments, the nation and the people of Bengal..."

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia on Tuesday hit out at the TMC led West Bengal government over the Kolkata police's crackdown on the protestors taking part in Nabanna Abhijaan Rally amidst the row over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.

Security personnel on Tuesday lobbed tear gas shells, used water cannons and resorted to lathicharge to disperse protestors on the Howrah Bridge marching towards the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna.

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia termed today's actions from the West Bengal government as 'dictatorship'.

Bengal governor backed protesters as BJP called for a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on Wednesday to protest against the police action on those who took part in the march to state secretariat Nabbana on Tuesday. The ruling TMC claimed that the strike call exposed the BJP's game plan to foment disturbances in the state exploiting people's pain over the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor. The West Bengal government said that the administration will ensure that normal life is not affected during the strike that will begin at 6 am.

As a series of rape cases shock the nation, women's rights groups from across the country on Tuesday sought expeditious investigation and action, and demanded an end to sex crimes and gender-based violence. The All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM), All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), All India Mahila Samskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS), All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD), All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), All India Lawyers' Association for Justice (AILAJ) are among the 35 organisations who have made the appeal.

Police used teargas and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse BJP leaders and supporters when they marched towards Kolkata Police headquarters Lalbazar demanding the release of students arrested during the Nabanna Abhijan rally on Tuesday. The rally was called for demanding the resignation of chief minister Mamata Banerjee in the wake of the recent rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at state-run R G Kar Medical College. The police action began after BJP supporters attempted to break police barricades to enter Lal Bazaar.

BJP in Bengal has called for a 12-hour Bangla Bandh on August 28, 2024, from 6 am to 6 pm. This bandh is in protest against police brutality towards students who are demonstrating against the recent rape and murder case involving a trainee doctor in RG Kar, Kolkata.

BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday launched a strong criticism against the West Bengal government, condemning its attempts to suppress the 'March to Nabanna' protest and labelled chief minister Mamata Banerjee as a "dictator."

The protest, led by the students, demanded the resignation of Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder case at R.G. Kar Hospital.

Speaking to IANS, the senior BJP leader remarked, "The Nabanna March is a student-led procession. Everyone in Bengal, including women, students, and the youth, is upset."

He further accused the West Bengal chief minister of being a "dictator" who seeks to "crush every protest," noting that even BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had to go to court to seek permission to protest.

The BJP demanded the release of students arrested during a march towards state secretariat Nabanna on Tuesday demanding resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a doctor. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, who later led a rally to police headquarters Lalbazar to meet the Police Commissioner, was prevented by the force.

CBI seeks court permission to conduct polygraph test on Kolkata Police ASI Anup Dutta in doctor rape-murder case: Officials

The West Bengal government on Tuesday urged people not to participate in BJP's 12-hour general strike on August 28, asserting that the administration will ensure normal life is not affected due to the bandh. The BJP has called for a 6 am-to-6 pm general strike in West Bengal to protest against the police action on those who took part in the march to state secretariat 'Nabbana' on Tuesday.

"The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected," said Alapan Bandopadhyay, the chief advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Hitting out at the Nabanna Abhijan protest march, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra described the protestors as goons who had forced the police to react.

"Police gets bricks thrown at them by #WeDontNeedNoEducation “Chhatras”, SHO’s head split. Many policemen hurt. And @BJP4Bengal calls bandh to protest police “atrocities”. Same old playbook", Mahua Moitra said in a tweet.

In a post on X, Moitra said, "Police get bricks thrown at them by #WeDontNeedNoEducation "Chhatras", SHO's head split. Many policemen hurt. And @BJP4Bengal calls bandh to protest police "atrocities". Same old playbook."

Clashes broke out between police and protesters at different parts of Kolkata and its neighbouring Howrah on Tuesday, as the agitators tried to make their way through barricades to march towards the West Bengal secretariat. The protesters were attempting to reach 'Nabanna' to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital here.

Clashes were reported at MG Road, Hastings Road and areas near the Princep Ghat alongside Santragachi and Howrah Maidan in which some protesters as well as policemen were injured.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday alleged that police resorted to "brutal repression" on peaceful participants of the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally, and threatened to stall West Bengal if the "brutalities" by state administration were not stopped. "Police are using water cannon on peaceful protestors at Santragachi, burst tear gas shells on the students at Howrah Bridge, lathicharged them at College Street. Please stop these brutalities immediately," the senior BJP leader told reporters. Adhikari said, "If the police repression is not stopped immediately, we (BJP) will stall West Bengal tomorrow."

Bhartiya Janta Party's national president JP Nadda hit out at Mamata Banerjee government accusing it of supporting "rapists and criminals" after the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally turned violent on Tuesday. The All India Trinamool Congress, in turn, attacked the 'BJP goons' of forcefully breaking the barricade and trying to enter the restricted Nabanna area.

Over a hundred female artistes associated with the Bengali film industry wrote to the state-run Tele Academy on Tuesday, seeking a safer workplace amid the outrage over the rape-murder of the doctor at RG Kar hospital. Among the signatories of the letter, which was also sent to the Eastern India Motion Picture Association (EIMPA) and West Bengal Motion Picture Artistes Forum, were director Aparna Sen, actors Rupa Ganguly, Swastika Mukherjee, Paoli Dam, Sohini Sarkar, Sohini Sengupta, Bidipta Chakraborty, Chaitali Dasgupta, Anuradha Ray and Shakuntala Barua, and scriptwriter Meghatithi Banerjee.

"People of West Bengal, along with the entire nation, have been shocked to their core by the recent torture and murder of a woman doctor at her workplace - RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata. In the wake of this heinous crime, it is heartening to see that the entertainment industry - theatre artists and technicians, musicians, makeup artists, dancers and choreographers, screenwriters and technicians are taking to the streets in fervent protests," said the letter.

“The situation is very delicate. More than one lakh students and common people have assembled at three places. They have only one demand that the CM should step down from her post. However, 15,000-20,000 policemen have been deployed to stop them. Both protesters and policemen have been injured in the clashes. State government is responsible for this,” says Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari

The BJP has accused West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of protecting those responsible for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. The party labeled her a "dictator" and called for her resignation to ensure an impartial investigation into the case.

"West Bengal BJP calls a 12-hour West Bengal bandh tomorrow," says Union minister and WB BJP president Sukanta Majumdar. This comes after the protest, organized by "Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj," turned violent when a scuffle broke out between protesters and police on Kona Expressway in Santragachhi.

CBI has decided to seek expert opinion from the AIIMs regarding the DNA and forensic reports in the case of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. Officials stated on Tuesday that this step is being taken to ensure a strong and airtight case.

By sending the reports to AIIMS, the CBI aims to obtain a professional assessment that will help determine whether Sanjay Roy was the sole perpetrator of the crime or if others were involved. The agency is currently operating under the assumption that Roy acted alone, based on the available leads.

However, the officials emphasised that the possibility of additional suspects can only be definitively ruled out once the AIIMS experts have provided their insights on the matter.

Why were we beaten by police? We did not break any laws. We are holding a peaceful rally to demand justice for the deceased doctor. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee should take responsibility and resign: Woman protester

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money laundering investigation into alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which reportedly occurred during the tenure of former principal Sandip Ghosh and others, official sources revealed on Tuesday. The ED has based its Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR, on a CBI FIR, invoking various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday alleged that police resorted to "brutal repression" on the peaceful participants of 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally in the city and Howrah and threatened to stall West Bengal if the "brutalities" by state administration was not stopped. "Police is using water cannon on peaceful protestors at Santragachi, burst tear gas shells on the students at Howrah Bridge, lathicharged them at College Street. Please stop these brutalities immediately," the senior BJP leader added.

If there is any dictator in the country, then that dictator is Mamata Banerjee. The truth should come out, the investigating agency CBI should do a polygraph test of Mamata Banerjee and the Police Commissioner. The truth cannot be suppressed and the biggest thing is that as long as these people are in their positions and are crushing the students, tearing the Constitution to pieces, this will not be tolerated, this issue will be raised strongly as it has been raised today: BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia