BJP Calls 12-Hour Bangla Bandh Over Alleged Police Brutality During Nabanna Abhijan Protest

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour strike in West Bengal on Wednesday, August 28, in response to alleged police brutality during the Nabanna Abhijan protest on Tuesday. The protest was organized by Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj and the Sangrami Joutha Mancha to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.

Violent clashes erupted as protesters attempted to breach barricades en route to the state secretariat, resulting in over 200 arrests and injuries to both protesters and police officers. The Kolkata Police used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi charges to disperse the crowd. West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar, who is led the protest march fell ill due to tear gas fumes.

BJP president JP Nadda condemned the police’s actions, accusing the state government of protecting criminals while silencing those advocating for women’s safety. In contrast, the ruling Trinamool Congress criticized the bandh, claiming it was intended to incite chaos. Senior Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh suggested that the Nabanna Abhijan had BJP backing, evident from the disturbances and the immediate call for a bandh. Despite the tensions, the Trinamool Congress commended the police for managing the situation without succumbing to provocations.