The BJP has called a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., to protest the police crackdown on students and the alleged murder at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The bandh demands Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation and criticizes the police response during the Navanna March.
The bandh has caused delays, including a one-and-a-half-hour delay for the Bhagirathi Express at Murshidabad. At Barrackpore station, protesters have blocked railway tracks.
Protests are ongoing across West Bengal. BJP leaders, including Union Minister Sukant Mazumdar, will participate in demonstrations. Mazumdar will lead a protest in Bahuihati at 11 a.m. BJP members Rupa Ganguly, Locket Chatterjee, Agnimitra Paul, and Rahul Sinha will lead protests at different locations starting at 10 a.m.
Yesterday, students marched toward Nabanna, the state government office, to protest the Abhya incident. The police used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi charges to control the crowd at the Howrah border.
The BJP has called for shop closures during the bandh, with only essential services operating. However, the West Bengal government assures that schools, colleges, offices, and banks will remain open. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged people to continue with their daily activities.