Monday, 16 September 2024
Monday, 16 September 2024
It was an eventful day in Calcutta on Wednesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamul General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee took the dais for the foundation day of the Trinamul Students’ wing at Mayo Road and the BJP called a 12-hour strike in protest of the police atrocities on the ‘chhatra samaj’ protesters on Tuesday.
Mamata Banerjee took to X and publicly declared, “Today, I dedicate Trinamool Chhatra Parishad Foundation Day to our sister, whose shocking death at RG Kar Hospital a few days ago left us all saddened.”
The chief minister wrote, “To all the women of all ages across India who have been subjected to such inhumane acts, I am sorry with all my heart.”
At the Mayo Road rally, Mamata Banerjee, referring to the mayhem that the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ witnessed on August 27, alleged that the BJP tried to “divert the real movement.”
“The police shed their blood. But, did not step into the trap laid out by BJP,” she added.
Banerjee called today’s strike deliberate and an attempt to prohibit TMCP members from attending the gathering at the Mayo Road.
She also promised that within 10 days, she would pass a bill demanding rapists are hanged. In this context, the chief minister attacked governor C.V. Ananda Bose who had been accused of sexual assault in the past.
Abhishek Banerjee honoured ‘Reclaim the Night’ movement. “Those, who took to the streets or protested by sitting on the streets, had only one demand - build a rape-free society and punish the guilty by speeding up the justice system,” the 39-year-old said.
The TMC heir apparent Abhishek lauded the Kolkata Police, “The restraint shown by the police proves that Bengal is not Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat or Manipur.”
Abhishek ordered those who carried out the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ to persuade Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda to implement an anti-rape law in the country.
“They do not have the power to enact such a law. Because if this law is introduced, BJP people will be the first to go to jail,” he added.
He highlighted that it had been 14 days since the investigation had been handed over to the CBI from Kolkata Police. “14 days have passed. Why has Sandeep Ghosh not been arrested? The CBI should answer that,” Abhishek said.
Abhishek also said he would move a private member bill in parliament demanding quicker trials for rape cases.
Trinamul Congress leader Aroop Biswas made necessary arrangements to accommodate party workers who arrived from various districts. Hundreds of party workers were given shelter at Netaji indoor stadium, Khudiram Anusilan Kendra, and the Salt Lake stadium.
Thousands of students attended the gathering at the Mayo Road where Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee interacted with the crowd.
While the TMC rally went on, BJP leaders in other parts of Calcutta tried to enforce the strike by either blocking or pleading with the people. BJP leader Rahul Sinha occupied Calcutta's Shyam Bazar. He sat in front of the Young Bengal Society and raised slogans.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumder invaded tram lines in Calcutta with BJP supporters. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul was seen at Gariahat requesting people to support their strike.
Meanwhile, former member of parliament for Hooghly Locket Chatterjee was detained when she protested with other BJP workers at Calcutta's Bata Chowk.
