BJP Rallies Across Bengal to Protest Rape-Murder of Woman Doctor

BJP activists staged statewide protests in West Bengal on Friday, blocking police stations and raising slogans in reaction to the rape-murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari led a demonstration, demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation, accusing her of failing to protect women and attempting to cover up the crime.

BJP activists on Friday staged protests across West Bengal, blocking police stations and raising slogans in reaction to the rape-murder of a woman doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata.

In North 24 Parganas district's Ghola, Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari led a demonstration outside the local police station, demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation and accusing her of failing to protect women at state hospitals while shielding those responsible for the crime. Adhikari also criticised Banerjee for allegedly attempting to cover up the incident.

''We demand the immediate resignation of the Chief Minister as she has failed to manage both the home and health departments,'' said Adhikari. ''She tried to hush up the matter and instructed her party MLA and the Barrackpore police commissionerate to cremate the body quickly. Two high-ranking Kolkata Police officers were present at the cremation despite it being outside their jurisdiction.''

In Purba Medinipur district, over 500 BJP workers, including many women, forcibly entered Nandigram police station, clashing with police and RAF personnel. Similar protests occurred at various police stations across the state, as part of the BJP's 'thana gherao' programme to express discontent with the ruling party over women's safety issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)