Chaos engulfed central Kolkata on Saturday as police resorted to a lathi-charge on protestors during a high-voltage march demanding justice in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case. The rally, part of the ‘Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan,’ marked one year since the brutal assault and killing of a young trainee doctor within the hospital premises — a case that had sparked outrage across West Bengal.
Led by senior BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Agnimitra Paul, the protest drew hundreds of participants, including the victim’s grieving parents, party workers, and citizens. Adhikari appealed to demonstrators to avoid party insignia, urging them to unite under the Tricolour to demand justice. Many carried placards, banners, and posters calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the arrest of those responsible.
The march began peacefully but quickly turned tense as police attempted to stop the procession before it could reach the state secretariat, Nabanna. Scuffles broke out when barricades were breached, prompting the police to use batons. Witnesses reported several protestors sustaining minor injuries during the confrontation.
Adhikari accused the Mamata Banerjee administration of being “afraid of the massive crowd” and alleged that the government was attempting to stifle dissent. Protestors shouted slogans demanding accountability, insisting they would not be deterred by blockades or prohibitory orders.
Security was tightened across Kolkata and Howrah ahead of the march. Police deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, installed multi-layer barricades at key intersections, and stationed water cannons. Drone surveillance was conducted to monitor crowd movements. Authorities also suspended vehicular movement on the Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu to restrict the marchers’ approach to Nabanna.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed in adjoining areas, effectively banning gatherings near the secretariat. Police defended their actions, citing the need to maintain law and order in the face of a large-scale protest.
The rally reignited public anger over the 2023 incident, in which the young doctor was raped and murdered during her duty hours. Critics have accused the state government of dragging its feet on the investigation, with the victim’s family still awaiting closure despite assurances of a speedy trial.
The protest concluded without the marchers reaching Nabanna, but opposition leaders declared it a moral victory, saying it had amplified the call for justice and kept the spotlight on women’s safety. The day’s events underscored the deep political and social fault lines in West Bengal, with the RG Kar case continuing to serve as a rallying point for the opposition and civil society alike.