Bengal Bandh: The bandh called by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal starts from this morning at 6 am. In the wake of chaos ensued in the Nabanna Abhijan protest rally on Tuesday, the West Bengal unit of BJP had called the Bandh. The bandh is in direct reaction to what the party termed “violent and excessive” actions taken by Kolkata police against protesters.
BJP Justifies Bengal Bandh as Retaliation Against Police Brutality
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chief advisor Alapan Bandopadhyay said, “The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected.” Transport services will remain operational, and shops, marketplaces and other business establishments have been asked to remain open, the chief advisor said.
The rally, Nabanna Abhijan, was a protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, saw thousands gather at Santragachi in Howrah before heading towards College Square in Kolkata. The rally quickly turned out of hand as the protesters began breaching police barricades. In its response, the Kolkata police made use of water cannon, tear gas, and lathi charges to disperse the mob. The clashes broke out between the police and protesters.
Justifying the Bengal Bandh as “require retaliatory action against violence on the student agitation”, Union Minister Sukanta Majumder said: “The police action on Tuesday against the rally will be opposed tooth and nail. We would strongly send the message across.” BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar, along with other party workers, was also spotted trying to enforce the bandh.
Heavy Police Deployment Across Bengal to Prevent Violence During Bandh
Ahead of the bandh, about 5,000 police have been deployed in different parts of West Bengal to ensure that no incident of violence takes place. The bandh has already hit normal life in West Bengal as shops remained closed and public transportation disrupted completely. In several places, BJP workers tried to shut the gates of Kolkata metro stations following which seven persons have been detained.
The BJP leadership has been loud in their denunciation against the police’s handling of the Nabanna Abhijan rally. “We are asking for support from people. It should come from people’s hearts. We are not forcing people, but just requesting them to support our bandh,” Paul said.
BJP National Spokesperson Condemns Police Actions as “Inhumane and Brutal”
The BJP National Spokesperson, CR Kesavan, joined in the chorus of criticism and termed the police actions “inhumane and brutal.” In his accusations, he stated that the TMC government in West Bengal, led by Mamata Banerjee, had unleashed “vicious and vindictive” force against peaceful protesters. Kesavan pointed out the disturbing happenings of the day. Which included the use of water cannons and tear gas, and even physical attacks against women, senior citizens, and students.
NBSTC Bus Drivers Don Helmets Amid Bandh Fears, Highlighting Safety Concerns
The bandh also brought some awkward scenes in focus when drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation or NBSTC buses in Cooch Behar sported helmets for protection. One driver said, “We are putting on this helmet due to the bandh called by the BJP today.The department has given us the helmet to wear for our safety.”
As the bandh picks up momentum, BJP appears in no mood to relent, declaring a prolonged movement of resistance against what it termed as the oppressive regime in West Bengal. The day is all set to be marked by more disruptions as the Bengal Bandh wears on, with the state’s political temperature refusing to cool down.
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