Political Parties Unite for Justice in Doctor's Rape-Murder Case

Following the rape-murder of a woman doctor at R G Kar Hospital, both TMC and BJP have called for justice through street protests. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced protests demanding capital punishment for the perpetrators, while BJP's Sukanta Majumdar demanded Banerjee's resignation over the incident.

In response to the rape-murder of a woman doctor at state-run R G Kar Hospital on August 9, both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP have initiated street protests, unified in their call for justice for the victim.

Speaking at the foundation day event of TMC's student wing, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that student unions would stage protests at every college gate on August 30, calling for capital punishment for the perpetrators. She further announced sit-ins and rallies across various blocks on August 31 and September 1 to demand amendments to current laws and the death penalty for the accused.

Banerjee also criticized the BJP-led central government for not introducing legislation to ensure timely trials and harsh punishments for rapists.

Responding to Banerjee's announcements, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar revealed plans for a series of protests starting August 29, including a sit-in at Esplanade Y Channel and a gherao of the state women's commission office. Majumdar called for Banerjee's resignation, accusing her of failing to secure women's safety and attempting a cover-up within the medical establishment.

The BJP's planned protests will escalate with gheraos of district magistrate offices on September 2, sit-ins before block offices on September 4, and demonstrations at every mandal on September 6. Additionally, a two-hour chakka jam is scheduled for the first week of September.

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari added that the party would organize three rallies demanding Banerjee's resignation, which would proceed towards the CM's residence, the state secretariat, and the Kolkata Police headquarters, all on the same day.

Adhikari expects thousands to join these rallies, although the exact date remains unspecified.

(With inputs from agencies.)