TMC attacks BJP over protest in Kolkata; BJP leaders hit back, take "dictator" jibe at Mamata

Earlier today, a march to West Bengal Secretariat 'Nabanna' was organised by the 'Paschim Banga Chatra Samaj' and other organisations, which aimed to protest the recent rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor in Kolkata.

In a social media post in X, the TMC listed "BJP's idea of a 'peaceful protest'," stating that their idea of a "peaceful protest" includes stone pelting, pushing barricades, severely injuring the police, orchestrating extreme chaos and disrupting the law and order of the state.

TMC further stated that the "Nabanna Abhiyan" was a conspiracy by the BJP and was "nothing short of a FATAL ATTACK on Bengal!"

BJP leaders also expressed their anguish over the ongoing chaos in Bengal.

BJP National President JP Nadda took to X and said, "The images of police highhandedness from Kolkata have angered every person 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."

At a press conference in the national capital, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia also took a jibe at the TMC and said, "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 and tearing the Constitution to pieces, this will not be tolerated; this issue will be raised strongly as it has been raised today."

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar was seen at a protest outside Kolkata Police Headquarters in the Lal Bazar area demanding the release of students who were detained by police today, following the chaos that happened at the protest rally.

"The police and Mamata Banerjee have unleashed violence on the student agitation. They have lathi-charged, used tear gas and used water cannons on the democratic, peaceful protest... Our demand is simple: the students who have been arrested by the police should be released," Majumder said. Majumdar has also called for a 12-hour bandh in the state on Wednesday.

On Monday, Additional Commissioner of Police Kolkata, Supratim Sarkar, said that they have rejected an application by 'Paschimbanga Chhatro Samaj' to hold a rally called 'Nabanna Abhijan' on August 27. He added that the police rejected their application because the group did not seek formal permission and provided insufficient details.

All these came following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital premises, which sparked nationwide outrage and since then several protests have been staged demanding justice for the victim. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall on August 9. (ANI)