BJP's Bengal Bandh: Protests, Police Clashes, and Political Accusations

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar joins a 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' amid protests against alleged police actions during a Kolkata rally. BJP announces a seven-day dharna following court approval. Trinamool Congress accuses BJP of creating anarchy. Protests spark nationwide after the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case.

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar joined the protests on August 28 amid a 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' called by the BJP. The bandh was organized to protest against alleged police actions during a rally in Kolkata on Tuesday. Majumdar participated in a rally in Kolkata's Baguiati, where police and security personnel were present in full gear.

Sukanta Majumdar, who also serves as the state BJP President, announced that a seven-day dharna would begin on August 29 following the Kolkata High Court's permission. 'Kolkata HC has given us permission for a seven-day Dharna. We will start it from tomorrow...We welcome their verdict...There is no democracy here; the police cannot stop firing but can stop BJP's protest. They can arrest BJP leaders but not the accused,' Majumdar stated.

Trinamool Congress party workers staged a protest against the BJP's 'Bengal Bandh', accusing the BJP of attempting to create anarchy 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 in CBI's hands...One accused has been arrested...now the CBI is investigating the matter...They (BJP) are trying to create anarchy here. Yesterday they attacked the police, and today they have called this bandh...Everything is normal in Bengal. The people of West Bengal have rejected BJP's bandh,' TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said. The '12-hour Bengal Bandh' was called after Kolkata police used force against protestors in the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally.

On August 27, chaos erupted in Kolkata streets when security personnel used tear gas, water cannons, and lathi-charge to disperse protestors on Howrah Bridge marching towards the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna. The protests were sparked by the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case, where a female trainee doctor was murdered and allegedly sexually assaulted on August 9. The incident has caused national outrage, leading to rallies in various states.

(With inputs from agencies.)