Kolkata: Tension gripped central Kolkata on Saturday as West Bengal Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse protesters during the BJP-led ‘Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan’ march, held on the first anniversary of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.
The march, led by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MP Agnimitra Paul, saw participation from hundreds of supporters and the victim’s parents. According to reports, the victim’s mother has alleged that the cops assaulted her and broke her bangles.
Protesters, who had been urged not to carry party flags, demanded justice for the victim and the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Authorities had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS and sealed key entry points to Howrah, including the Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu. Security arrangements included barricades, Rapid Action Force deployment, water cannons, and drone surveillance.
Clashes broke out near Esplanade when protesters attempted to break police barricades. Officers responded with baton charges, leading to injuries. Suvendu Adhikari alleged that several BJP MLAs, along with the victim’s parents, were among those hurt.
The protest came amid continuing dissatisfaction over the case investigation. The victim’s parents recently met CBI officials in Delhi, later describing the meeting as a “complete waste of time” and accusing the agency of being compromised.
Despite the conviction and life sentence of civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, the victim’s father has maintained that the crime could not have been committed by a single person and has called for further investigation.
The RG Kar Medical College campus still bears the scars of the incident, with sealed crime scenes, a gutted emergency ward, and several promised security upgrades yet to be implemented. The anniversary has seen statewide protests, torchlight vigils, and cultural events as demands for justice continue.