Kolkata is on edge as the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest rally approaches, with over 6,000 police officers deployed and prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 to maintain order.** Organised by Chatra Samaj, a newly-formed students’ organization, the rally aims to demand justice for the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital. In addition to seeking justice, the group is calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, holding her accountable for what they perceive as the government’s failure to protect its citizens.
Key Points You Need to Know:
1. TMC and Police Label Rally as Illegal: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Kolkata police have denounced the planned ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally as “illegal,” viewing it as an attempt to incite unrest across the state.
2. Rally Rejected Due to Lack of Formal Permission: Kolkata’s Additional Commissioner of Police, Supratim Sarkar, stated that the application by ‘Paschimbanga Chhatro Samaj’ to hold the rally was denied. This decision was based on the group’s failure to seek formal permission and provide the necessary details. “They had announced through social media and the press that they will be undertaking a program called Nabanna Abhiyan on 27th August, but they did not seek permission, which is a mandatory requirement as far as the High Court directives,” Sarkar told ANI.
3. BJP Criticises Police Decision: BJP leader Dilip Ghosh criticized the police’s stance, arguing, “What right does the police have to call it legal or illegal? In a democratic country, anyone can protest. The Supreme Court has also said that if a peaceful protest or march is taken out the police cannot hinder it…”
4. Schools Shift to Online Classes: Given the potential for disruption, several educational institutions have chosen to conduct online classes or declare a holiday for the day, as per PTI reports.
5. Concerns Over Possible Violence: Speaking to reporters at Nabanna, ADG (Law and Order) Manoj Verma revealed that the police have gathered intelligence suggesting that miscreants might infiltrate the protestors with the intent to provoke widespread violence. In response, the government has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS around Nabanna, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people, as reported by PTI.
6. Massive Police Deployment: To ensure law and order, over 6,000 police officers have been assigned to various locations, with 19 key points identified for barricading, according to a senior official quoted by NDTV. Additionally, 26 Deputy Commissioners of Police will be stationed at different strategic locations.
7. TMC Alleges Conspiracy: The TMC has labeled the rally a “conspiracy” to create chaos in the streets, even releasing videos allegedly showing BJP leaders from Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district planning to incite violence at the rally. The party also claimed, that “no student body would jeopardise the future of students by staging a protest on the very day they are scheduled to appear for an examination. Under the banner of ‘Chhatro Samaj,’ BJP hijacked ‘Nabanna Abhiyan,’ filling it with anti-social elements to incite violence.”
8. Chatra Samaj Ensures No Disruption for UGC-NET Candidates: The Chatra Samaj has assured that their protest will not affect UGC-NET candidates, as the exam is set to be conducted in two shifts. The UGC-NET exams are scheduled from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
9. Chatra Samaj Stands Firm on Non-Violence: Chatra Samaj spokesperson Sayan Lahiri reiterated the group’s commitment to a non-violent protest, stating, “Our non-violent democratic protest will not affect the candidates. Since the exams will be held in two sessions, the candidates will hopefully not face any difficulty if they appear in the first session,” as quoted by PTI.
10. Kolkata Police Assure Assistance to UGC-NET Candidates: In a post on X, the Kolkata Police stated, “We have ensured adequate police presence on the roads so that no UGC-NET candidate has difficulty reaching their examination center. In case of any emergency, candidates are requested to seek help from the nearest police personnel, or contact the nearest police station.”
As tensions rise in Kolkata over the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally, the city is on high alert, with heavy police presence and precautionary measures in place. The outcome of this protest could have significant implications for both the government and the opposition.
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