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The alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata sparked widespread outrage and protests, culminating in violent clashes between demonstrators and police on Tuesday. The protests, known as the 'Nabanna Abhijan', aimed to march towards the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna, but were met with a strong police response. The ensuing confrontation, which lasted for nearly four hours, saw protestors throwing stones and glass bottles, resulting in injuries on both sides. Fifteen Kolkata Police personnel and 14 state police officers were injured, and over 200 people were arrested across the state.
The violence escalated when protestors attempted to breach barricades, prompting police to use water cannons, batons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The BJP, the opposition party in West Bengal, condemned the police action and called for a 12-hour general strike in the state on August 28. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of failing to ensure the safety of women and ignoring public outcry. The BJP demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her government was protecting those involved in the crime.
Meanwhile, the CBI, which is investigating the doctor's murder, sought court permission to conduct a polygraph test on Kolkata Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Anup Dutta. The CBI suspects that Dutta may have extended favors to Sanjay Roy, the accused in the case, and is aiming to determine whether Roy confided in Dutta about the crime. The agency is also consulting forensic experts from AIIMS to analyze DNA and forensic evidence, seeking to ascertain if Roy acted alone or if others were involved in the crime.
The violent protests have further intensified the political battle between the BJP and the TMC. The BJP has accused the TMC of protecting those involved in the crime and demanded a polygraph test on Banerjee and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goel, alleging a cover-up. The TMC has retaliated, accusing the BJP of orchestrating chaos and disrupting law and order in the state. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed his distress over the situation, criticizing the use of disproportionate force by the state against peaceful protesters.
The incident has raised serious concerns about women's safety in West Bengal and the state government's response to public protests. The CBI investigation is expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the doctor's murder and the possible involvement of others. The political fallout of the protests and the ongoing investigation is likely to have a significant impact on the upcoming elections in the state.