BJP Calls 12-Hour Bengal Bandh Over Police Crackdown on Student Protests

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar urged West Bengal Governor Bose to intervene and release students detained during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protest. He termed the police action excessive. A 12-hour Bengal Bandh is called in response to the police crackdown on peaceful protesters.

Union Minister and BJP West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar implored West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose to direct state police to release student activists detained during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protest march, alleging their detention infringes on democratic rights. Majumdar criticized the police for excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.

In a letter, Majumdar wrote, 'With due respect, I am writing to draw your attention to the recent incidents of excessive use of force by the police against peaceful student activists during today's Nabanna Avijaan protest, organized by Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj. An unspecified number of students have been detained in Howrah, Kolkata, and other areas across West Bengal.' He underscored that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic right, and police actions undermined democratic values.

Majumdar requested immediate steps to address the police's 'disproportionate' and 'unprovoked' handling of the protesters. 'In light of these grave concerns, I earnestly request you to take immediate and necessary steps to address these instances of police excesses. Additionally, I urge you to instruct the state police to release all the student activists currently in custody unconditionally, as their detention violates their democratic rights,' Majumdar added.

The BJP called for a 12-hour Bengal Bandh on Wednesday, August 28, in protest of the police actions during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march to the state secretariat. Majumdar quoted, 'The police and Mamata Banerjee have unleashed violence on the student agitation. They have lathi-charged, used tear gas, and employed water cannons against the peaceful protest. So in opposition to this, we have called for a 12-hour bandh in Bengal tomorrow.' He demanded the release of the detained students.

The protest march to the West Bengal Secretariat 'Nabanna' was organized by 'Paschim Banga Chatra Samaj' and other groups, aiming to voice anger over the recent rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor in Kolkata. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)