Kolkata: Around 2,000 protesters attached to different minority organisations gathered at Park Circus on Friday afternoon to demonstrate against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill that was passed in Parliament on Thursday night. The protest led to the shutting down of the Seven-Point Crossing for close to two hours.
The protest, organised by several minority groups from across Bengal, began with a meeting discussing opposition to the central govt's bill, which awaits presidential approval. Police and RAF personnel were deployed to maintain order as demonstrators blocked the major intersection while demanding the bill's withdrawal.
Traffic cops immediately switched to alternate plans, diverting buses via CIT Road-Dargah Road-Naseruddin Road or the AJC Bose Road. The protesters ensured that no school buses or ambulances got stuck in the protest. Cops also gave special preference to airport-bound vehicles by setting up barricades on Suhrawardy Avenue. Two-wheelers were asked to take bylanes like Bijli Gali, and four-wheelers were diverted via Lalmohan Bhattacharya Lane and Suresh Sarkar Street.
"The protesters first gathered near Lady Brabourne College before moving towards Seven Point Crossing, shutting down Amir Ali Avenue, Suhrawardy Avenue, and even New Park Street. However, we had our plans ready that ensured traffic moved and never really stalled till the end of the protest around 3.50 pm-4 pm," said a senior police officer at Lalbazar.
While the opposition parties were not officially associated with the gathering, several local party leaders from Topsia, Kasba, Tiljala, and Beckbagan were present at the demonstration. "The Centre will face the consequences of their actions on the Waqf," said J Ahmed, a Topsia resident holding a placard.
Mohammad Hamid Hossain, a Park Circus resident, criticised certain political parties' stance on the bill. "Those who are amending or debating the bill are not bothered to ask us our perspectives. We are protesting peacefully against a very undemocratic bill," he claimed.