Kolkata, August 27, 2024 – A new student organization, Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj, is set to lead a significant protest march to the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna, today. The march, dubbed the ‘March to Nabanna’ or ‘Nabanna Abhijan,’ has been deemed illegal by the West Bengal Police, raising concerns about potential law-and-order issues.
It is a student organisation that cropped up in the past few days demanding West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation over the rape-murder case at Kolkata’s R G Kar Hospital. The “Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj (Society of Students in West Bengal)” is set to lead a march to West Bengal state secretariat “Nabanna” on Tuesday to press its demand but has divided the movement for justice in the R G Kar case, with the CPI(M) and Congress backing out of it citing the “RSS connections” of some of the organisers.
The West Bengal Police has described the proposed “Nabanna Abhijan” as “illegal” and said it has taken necessary precautionary measures due to concerns about potential law-and-order issues during the march. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has labelled the rally a “conspiracy” to cause chaos on the streets and released a couple of videos of suspected BJP leaders from Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district allegedly planning to incite violence at the march. The Indian Express has not independently verified the authenticity of the videos.
At a press conference, Additional Director General (Law and Order) Manoj Verma said Nabanna was a restricted area as prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are in force near the secretariat, preventing the assembly of five or more people. “We are getting inputs from various sources that miscreants with vested interests will try to create a law-and-order situation to provoke a response from the police, which they would then exploit,” he said.
Key Details
- Organization: Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj (Society of Students in West Bengal)
- Date of March: August 27, 2024
- Primary Demand: Resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the handling of the rape-murder case at Kolkata’s R G Kar Hospital
- Police Stance: Deemed illegal due to lack of permission and potential for violence
- Political Reactions:
- CPI (M) and Congress: Withdrew support citing RSS connections of some organizers
- Trinamool Congress (TMC): Claims the rally is a conspiracy to incite chaos
The Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj emerged recently in response to the rape and murder of a doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. The organization is demanding justice for the victim and the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health and police portfolios.
1. What is the Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj?
Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj is a newly formed student organization in West Bengal. It was established in response to the rape and murder case at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, demanding justice for the victim and the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
2. What is the ‘March to Nabanna’?
The ‘March to Nabanna’ or ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ is a protest march organized by Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj to the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna. The march aims to press for the resignation of the Chief Minister over the handling of the rape-murder case.
3. Why has the police deemed the march illegal?
The West Bengal Police have deemed the march illegal because the organizers did not seek permission for the rally. Additionally, there are concerns about potential violence and law-and-order issues during the march.
4. What are the political reactions to the march?
The CPI (M) and Congress have withdrawn their support for the march, citing the RSS connections of some organizers. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has labeled the rally a conspiracy to incite chaos and has released videos alleging that BJP leaders are planning to provoke violence during the march.
5. What are the demands of the Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj?
6. What measures have the police taken in response to the march?
The police have implemented tight security measures around Nabanna and other key areas in Kolkata. They have also assured students appearing for the UGC NET exams that arrangements are in place to ensure they can take the tests without any issues.
The situation remains tense as the Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj prepares to proceed with the march despite the police’s stance. The outcome of this protest could have significant implications for the political landscape in West Bengal.
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