On August 27, the Bharatiya Janata Party had organized a ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally against the Mamata government, accusing it of protecting the accused in the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. During this, a clash broke out between the protesters and the Kolkata Police. In protest against this, the BJP has called for a Bengal bandh on August 28, i.e. today. The BJP has also demanded the resignation of Mamata Banerjee.
During the August 27 march, when protesters overturned barricades, police personnel used lathicharge, water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The ruling Trinamool Congress has blamed the BJP for the protest not being peaceful. Meanwhile, BJP national president JP Nadda has accused the Kolkata Police of unleashing violence on the protesters.
JP Nadda said, “The images of police highhandedness from Kolkata have angered everyone who values democratic principles. In Didi’s West Bengal, it is an honour to help rapists and criminals, but speaking up for women’s safety is a crime.”
Sukanta Majumdar called for Bengal bandh
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar led a rally against the detention of students involved in the march and joined the protest outside the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar on Tuesday. “The police and Mamata Banerjee have unleashed violence on the student movement. They lathicharged, used tear gas and water cannon on the democratic, peaceful protest. Our demand is simple that the students arrested by the police should be released,” Majumdar said in a statement.
The 12-hour bandh will begin at 6 am on August 28. The West Bengal government had said that the administration will ensure that the strike does not affect the people.
What is open and what is closed?
Schools, colleges, government offices and banks are likely to remain open. These may be disrupted due to traffic disruptions caused by the shutdown. Essential services such as medical care, drinking water, public transport, rail services and electricity are also likely to function normally.
The BJP has reportedly called on trade organisations to keep markets shut. However, the West Bengal government has said that normalcy will be maintained and nothing will be officially shut due to the shutdown called by the opposition.
