Kolkata: On the first day of the Bengal assembly’s special session on Monday, tension ran high as the RG Kar incident dominated the proceedings.
Although the session was supposed to be adjourned after a condolence motion, the lack of mention of the victim in the motion — which only included late former CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee — sparked objections from BJP legislators.Leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari insisted that the RG Kar victim also be acknowledged.
When Speaker Biman Banerjee clarified that the victim’s name could not be included due to legal constraints, a heated exchange ensued between Trinamool and BJP legislators. Ultimately, the woman’s name or any reference to the crime was not added to the motion.
The Speaker read out the condolence motion and the session was adjourned for the day. However, BJP legislators remained in their seats as Adhikari addressed them in the half-empty hall. The LoP and other BJP legislators then observed a minute’s silence to protest the hospital rape-murder. They also held a silent march on the assembly premises. Adhikari said: “I had requested that the victim of the RG Kar incident, who was a working doctor, be mentioned in the condolence motion. Out of respect for Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, we did not protest further. We have paid our respects to the deceased in our own way.” Adhikari stressed that keeping in mind the SC’s directive, they had requested a mention in the motion without naming the victim.
Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay called the demand to include the victim’s name “absurd”. He said: “A rape victim’s name cannot be included in a condolence motion.”
Former Union minister Nisith Pramanik was arrested on Monday after BJP workers clashed with police in Cooch Behar during a demonstration against the RG Kar rape-murder. BJP held rallies in front of DMs’ offices in Burdwan, Malda, Cooch Behar and Jhargram, among others. In Cooch Behar, the agitators allegedly brick-batted cops, who responded by using batons and tear gas shells. In Kolkata’s Alipore, BJP workers protested outside the DM’s office, demanding action.