Kolkata — Tension gripped central Kolkata on Saturday as police baton-charged demonstrators at Park Street crossing during a march to the West Bengal Secretariat, Nabanna, to mark the first anniversary of the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The protest, organised as part of the ‘Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan’, drew thousands demanding justice for the victim, nicknamed Abhaya by supporters. The march turned confrontational when protesters attempted to break through police barricades on Vidyasagar Setu after ignoring repeated warnings to stay within the designated assembly point at Rani Rashmoni Road.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, and other senior BJP legislators joined the demonstration, staging a sit-in at the Park Street–JL Nehru Road intersection. Adhikari alleged that more than 100 protesters, including himself, were injured in the lathi charge, and claimed the victim’s parents were also hurt. “Mamata Banerjee will pay dearly for this. The protest is only going to grow stronger,” he declared.
In Howrah district, a separate group of marchers reached Santragachi, clashing with police while attempting to dismantle 10-foot iron barricades. Some protesters used blunt instruments to carve openings, determined to reach Nabanna despite heavy security. Carrying the Tricolour and placards demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation, they accused the state government of delaying justice.
Police repeatedly appealed via loudspeakers for demonstrators to maintain law and order in accordance with Calcutta High Court directives. However, swelling crowds at both Howrah and Kolkata assembly points created a volatile atmosphere. The victim’s father alleged that police obstructed participants from reaching the protest site by stopping vehicles at multiple checkpoints.
Earlier in the day, Adhikari joined the victim’s parents at Dorina Crossing in Esplanade without BJP flags or banners, signalling a “people’s movement” rather than a purely political one. “The administration fears this massive crowd,” Adhikari said.
Despite the high court’s clearance for a peaceful rally, protesters vowed to continue their march, asserting, “The police can fire upon us, but we will still reach Nabanna.”
