The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated a 12-hour Bengal Bandh from 6 am to 6 pm today, expressing its vehement opposition to the police’s handling of student protestors during a march toward the West Bengal secretariat, Nabanna. This strike was called after police action during a protest where students demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation over the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, which occurred earlier this month, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice across the state. Banerjee, who also holds the portfolio of Health and Family Welfare Minister along with her role as Home Minister, has been under fire for her administration’s handling of the case. Union Minister and BJP West Bengal president Sukanta Majumdar accused the state government of turning a blind eye to the people’s demands for justice. The bandh saw BJP supporters disrupting normal life in various parts of the state, including the halting of a train at Hooghly railway station. In response, Kolkata Police have made several arrests, including that of student leader Satyen Lahiri in Cooch Behar, while BJP workers have been detained in Alipurduar. The tense atmosphere has even led to government bus drivers in the state wearing helmets for their safety, underscoring the volatile situation.
