Sanjay Raut Criticizes Centre for Double Standards Over Bengal Bandh

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slammed the Centre for allegedly showing double standards by not stopping the Bengal Bandh while halting a similar protest in Maharashtra. Raut highlighted the anti-BJP government in West Bengal and accused the BJP of creating anarchy during protests.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday accused the Centre of double standards, arguing that the Bengal Bandh was allowed to proceed due to West Bengal's anti-BJP government, while a similar protest was halted in BJP-led Maharashtra. "When we called for a bandh, we were stopped because Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah run the government here. The same incident of sexual assault occurred here too," Raut said.

Raut was reacting to the 12-hour Bengal Bandh organized by the BJP following outrage over the alleged sexual assault and murder of a woman trainee doctor on August 28 in Kolkata. "We were stopped, but the Bengal Bandh was not stopped because Mamata Didi's government is in power there. This is our justice system's double standard," he added.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi had called for a bandh earlier this month to protest the alleged sexual assault of two girls in Maharashtra's Badlapur. Raut pointed out that while the accused was arrested and the Mamata Banerjee government took swift police action in the RG Kar Medical and Hospital case, the BJP continued to attack the police.

Earlier today, Trinamool Congress workers staged a protest against BJP's 12-hour Bengal Bandh call, which was in response to an alleged police crackdown on a 'peaceful' march during 'Nabanna Abhijan'. Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of attempting to incite chaos in Bengal.

"We all want justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. Mamata Banerjee also wants justice. The case is now with the CBI. One accused has been arrested, and the CBI is investigating. The BJP is trying to create anarchy; they attacked the police yesterday and now called this bandh. Everything is normal in Bengal; the people have rejected BJP's bandh," said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. On Tuesday, the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' rally started from College Square in Kolkata, amid tight security at the state secretariat as protestors gathered in Howrah's Santragachi area.

Police responded with water cannons as protestors clashed with personnel, breaching barricades in Howrah. Protestors dragged away barricades, prompting the police to employ lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

(With inputs from agencies.)