Kolkata doctor rape-murder: TMC, BJP & CPM in RG Kar blame game, plan separate protests
Times of India | 16 August 2024
KOLKATA: Bengal braced for a tense Friday with a shutdown-like scenario as CM Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and opposition parties BJP and CPM announced separate protests focused on RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the rape and murder of a postgraduate resident doctor on Aug 9 has triggered national outrage.
BJP and CPM condemned the vandalism that occurred at the state-run hospital, where a group of people stormed the premises during a late-night (Wednesday-Thursday) protest by women against the crime.The vandals damaged property and clashed with police, exacerbating the already volatile situation.
In response, the state BJP brass urged all political parties to unite and bring Bengal to a standstill. The party has planned road blockades from 2pm to 4pm in Kolkata and the districts. BJP also announced a two-hour ceasework at all state govt establishments.
Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar alleged a complete collapse of law and order in the state and demanded CM Banerjee's resignation. He also announced a candlelight march near the CM's residence in Kolkata.
CPM announced a two-day agitation beginning Friday, while SUCI called for a 12-hour bandh from 6am. CPM's Sujan Chakraborty alleged the vandalism had "the hand of the CM," while fellow party functionary Bikash Ranjan said: "Trinamool has orchestrated both the crime and the attack by miscreants yesterday."
CPM also demanded the arrest of former RG Kar college principal Sandip Ghosh, who has been accused of trying to "cover-up" the crime.
BJP MLA and opposition leader in assembly Suvendu Adhikari has written to home minister Amit Shah, requesting the deployment of paramilitary forces at RG Kar hospital. Adhikari alleged that the vandals aimed to destroy evidence, particularly now that CBI has taken over the investigation into the doctor's death.
These opposition protests will coincide with TMC's planned march, demanding capital punishment for the accused and condemning what it claimed are opposition attempts to discredit the CM. TMC maintained that the protestors at the hospital were not students but "outsider politicians" trying to stoke unrest in the state. The march led by the CM will start at 3pm in Kolkata.
Anticipating widespread disruptions, the state govt has issued a notification warning that absence from work, unless pre-approved or due to medical emergencies or family bereavements, will be treated as a "break in service".
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, CM Banerjee addressed the vandalism: "I don't blame students. Some outsider politicians are trying to foment trouble in Bengal. This is a BJP-Left collusion... A DCP who was trying to protect people had gone missing for several minutes till he was found unconscious. Police were attacked, and yet they had shown extreme patience. I laud them for that."