New Delhi: BJP president J P Nadda on Tuesday accused the West Bengal government of “helping rapists and criminals” after the “Nabanna Abhijan” rally turned violent. The Union minister also accused the police of highhandedness.
In a post on social media platform ‘X’ he wrote, “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.”
Violence during “Nabanna Abhijan” rally
Nadda’s apparent swipe at Mamata Banerjee came after police lathicharge the protestors. The cops also used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protestors who were trying to topple barricades blocking their way to the state secretariat.
Clashes broke out between police and protesters at different parts of Kolkata and Howrah. The violence erupted at MG Road, Hastings Road and areas near the Princep Ghat alongside Santragachi and Howrah Maidan, according to news agency PTI.
Protestors demanded Mamata Banerjee’s removal
The protestors were trying to reach state secretariat to demand the removal of chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape-murder of a post graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
According to reports, trouble escalated when the student organisation, ‘Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj’, and the dissident state government employees’ platform ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’ began their ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally from various points.
BJP calls for 12-hour general strike
Meanwhile, BJP has called for a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on Wednesday, August 28 over the police action on the protestors.
“We are forced to give the call for a general strike as this autocratic regime is turning a deaf ear to the voices of people, the demand for justice for the deceased doctor sister. Instead of justice, Mamata Banerjee’s police are turning on the peace-loving people of the state, who only wanted a safe and secure environment for women,” BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said.