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The Mamata Banerjee administration in West Bengal faces mounting pressure as the planned ‘Nabanna Avijan’ protest march on 27 August, against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, sparks significant unease within the state government, according to Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
On Friday, Adhikari accused the state government of taking various measures to thwart the protest.
He noted that the government initially raised concerns about the protest during a Supreme Court hearing on the case and subsequently sought a ban on the march from the Calcutta High Court.
Adhikari further highlighted that the state’s response included a notification from the school education department, prohibiting students from participating in any activities outside those sanctioned by the department.
This directive, issued by the District Inspector of Schools in West Midnapore, instructed school heads to prevent student involvement in unauthorized events.
Adhikari remarked that the interference clearly attempts to suppress the democratic right of free expression. He added that the chief minister’s efforts to stifle the public movement reveal her fear of a populace that is standing up to her.
He criticized the administration’s actions, emphasizing that the Supreme Court has previously upheld the right to peaceful protest.
“The court has unequivocally stated that the state has no authority to disrupt peaceful demonstrations,” Adhikari added. “The chief minister should acknowledge that she has lost the moral authority to lead and consider stepping down.”
‘Nabanna Avijan’ Protest
The ‘Nabanna Avijan’ protest, organized by independent students through social media, is intended to be a non-political demonstration demanding justice for the victim.
This call to action echoes the spirit of a similar protest held by women on Independence Day.
In response to the controversy, the Supreme Court reinforced its stance on Thursday, directing the West Bengal Police to allow peaceful protests related to the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital case.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized that the state must not obstruct demonstrations that seek to address the grave incident at the Kolkata institution.
As tensions rise, the administration’s efforts to counteract the protest however underscore the broader conflict between governmental authority and public dissent in the state.
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