The Nabanna Abhijan protest, initially organized by the ‘Pashchim Banga Chhatra Samaj’, an unregistered student body, alongside the dissident state government employees’ platform ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’, has escalated into violent confrontations. The protestors, who are demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor, clashed with the police as they marched toward the West Bengal secretariat, Nabanna. What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly descended into chaos as protestors hurled stones at the police and broke through barricades at the iconic Howrah Bridge. The police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and lathi-charges, leading to chaotic scenes as the situation spiraled out of control. This confrontation has further inflamed tensions between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), with BJP leaders accusing the police of using excessive force against unarmed students. The protest is a significant flashpoint in the ongoing political battle in West Bengal, highlighting the deep-seated frustrations among certain sections of the population with the current administration. The situation remains volatile, with both sides refusing to back down as the demand for justice intensifies.
