On August 27, 2024, violent skirmishes between protestors and police during the Nabanna Abhijan march caused severe unrest in Kolkata. The event was organized by the Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj to express concern about the possible rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. In an effort to breach security measures and advance toward the West Bengal headquarters, Nabanna, demonstrators stepped up their demands for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Rally Turns Violent
Thousands of people turned out for the Nabanna Abhijan march, motivated by their indignation over the violent crime committed against the doctor and their displeasure with the way the state administration handled the situation. Because of their fears about possible violence and public disturbance, the police proclaimed the gathering to be illegal and unapproved. When protesters, who were backed by the BJP, tried to break through barricades, it became worse and there were fights with the police.
Police used batons, water cannons, and tear gas to break up the gathering. The Secretariat’s key thoroughfares were blocked down, and police presence was heightened across Howrah and Kolkata. Notwithstanding these precautions, 29 police officers and a number of protestors were hurt during the altercation. More than two hundred people were taken into custody; arrests at Howrah Bridge and other significant sites were also reported.
BJP’s Involvement and Reactions on protests
The student-led protests were backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has openly criticized Chief Minister Banerjee’s administration. State president Sukanta Majumdar, one of the BJP leaders, attended the rally but had to leave the event after becoming unwell from being exposed to tear gas. The BJP is calling for the release of students who were imprisoned during the protests and has accused the police of using excessive force.
To protest the way the event was handled and the arrests made, the BJP has scheduled a nationwide strike for August 28, 2024, in reaction to the police raid. The police commissioner has been forewarned by the party to expunge the arrests and guarantee the unconditional release of the students who are being held. The BJP’s activities have been denounced by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which claims that the strike is meant to spread political instability and turmoil.
Government and Public Reactions
The state administration of West Bengal has been encouraged by Governor CV Ananda Bose to refrain from repressing democratic voices and to tolerate nonviolent protests. He emphasized the value of preserving civil freedoms by citing the Supreme Court’s position on the right to demonstrate.
Mahua Moitra, a TMC MP, denounced the demonstration and called the protestors “goons” for inciting the police action. The BJP, on the other hand, contends that in order to escape responsibility, the state government is trying to stifle the inquiry into the doctor’s death and fabricate the story.
#Kolkata #NabannaMarch | Strong visuals from the Nabanna March where an elderly man waving the Indian flag stands alone, facing the water cannons. Protestors try to break the barricades while the police try to disperse them. #KolkataProtests pic.twitter.com/5eWY8qGtZs
— Mojo Story (@themojostory) August 27, 2024Broader Context and Impact
The demonstration takes place in the context of a larger national anxiety over sexual assault. The trainee doctor’s murder and rape have struck a deep chord, highlighting the persistence of sexual violence in India even in the face of strict legislation and changes put in place in response to high-profile incidents like the 2012 Delhi gang rape.
Protests throughout the nation have been triggered by the occurrence, drawing attention to the ongoing difficulties in confronting sexual assault and guaranteeing justice. The medical community’s response, which started with strikes in many locations, highlights the extent of the crime’s impact and the need for responsibility.
In Kolkata, the Nabanna Abhijan march has caused a great deal of social and political instability. The altercation between demonstrators and police, which resulted in more than 200 arrests and a plethora of injuries, is indicative of deeper political strains in West Bengal and social problems pertaining to sexual assault. The BJP’s proposal for a nationwide walkout raises more questions about how to respond to the trainee doctor’s terrible case, so things are still a moving target. The focus of the demonstrations stays on the ongoing political implications of the upheaval as well as the criminal probe.
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