After weeks of relentless protests over the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the demonstrations on Monday (September 2, 2024) shifted to Lalbazar, the headquarters of the Kolkata Police and West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Hundreds of resident doctors marched from College Square to Lalabazar, demanding resignation of the Kolkata Police Commissioner. As barricades were put up about a hundred metres ahead of the police headquarters, a stand-off ensued between the police and doctors, who chose to sit on the street.
The resident doctors, carrying posters with caricatures of Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, held demonstrations for hours raising slogans and singing songs after their procession was stopped at Phears Lane. On Sunday, citizens from all walks of life, including actors from the Bengali film industry, protested throughout the night in Esplanade.
About 10,000 resident doctors in the State have been on a strike since August 9, in protest of the rape and the murder which has severely affected health services in the State.
Earlier in the day, during a Special Session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay rejected Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s demand for making obituary references to the deceased doctor. “Can you name the victim? How can you pass a condolence without naming the deceased?” the Speaker asked.
The House was adjourned till 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday after the Speaker read out a note expressing grief on the death of former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who passed away on August 8. The members observed silence for two minutes.
Speaking to journalists later in the day, Mr. Adhikari said an obituary could have been passed with reference to “doctor sister”. After the House was adjourned, more than 50 BJP MLAs went around the Assembly premises holding candles and posters that read: “We pray for the departed soul of the doctor sister. Rest in peace.”
On Tuesday, another showdown is expected between the ruling party and the BJP when the State government is likely to table a Bill in the House with provisions of capital punishment for those convicted of sexual assault. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called for tabling the legislation.
The BJP had called for the gherao of the District Magistrate offices across the State on Monday and in certain districts like Cooch Behar and Birbhum, the protests turned violent.
Since August 9, Kolkata and West Bengal had witnessed widespread protests, including the ‘March to Nabanna’ on August 27 and the 12-hour bandh by the BJP on August 28.
On Monday, the Calcutta High Court asked the West Bengal government to produce all documents related to the arrest of four persons in connection with the ‘March to Nabanna (Secretariat)‘. The High Court questioned the justification for their arrest and subsequent release 24 hours later.
During the day, the Supreme Court dismissed the West Bengal government’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s order granting bail to Sayan Lahiri, one of the organisers of the Nabanna march. The high court on Friday had granted bail to Sayan Lahiri of Paschimbango Chattro Samaj.
At a time when protests are raging across the State, certain Trinamool leaders including Ministers, MLAs and even local leaders had made threatening remarks against protesters. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on August 28 had asked her supporters to “hiss”, if not bite her political opponents who were spreading canards against her government.
“Lies are being spread. We have to stand against them. If someone stings us once, we should sting him five times,” Minister of North Bengal Development Udayan Guha said. The Trinamool leadership suspended a local leader who threatened to put up posters of protesting women if they continue to target The Chief Minister.
