National Desk, August 28, 2024 – West Bengal is experiencing a 12-hour general strike today, called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in response to a police crackdown on demonstrators at Nabanna, the state secretariat, on Tuesday. The strike, running from 6 am to 6 pm, follows a day of intense clashes where police used batons, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse protesters.
The unrest began after a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered earlier this month at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Outraged citizens took to the streets, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of failing to address the heinous crime effectively.
BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar condemned the police’s heavy-handed response, accusing the Banerjee administration of running an “autocratic regime.” Majumdar asserted that the bandh was essential to draw attention to the state government’s alleged negligence in ensuring justice.
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari also criticized the police’s actions during what he described as a peaceful student march, arguing that the excessive use of force was unwarranted. Adhikari vowed that the BJP would “bring the entire state to a halt” with the bandh as a form of protest.
In response, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the BJP of exploiting the tragic incident to incite unrest. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh argued that the BJP’s strike was part of a broader effort to destabilize West Bengal, urging citizens to disregard the bandh and continue with their daily activities.
The state government has implemented measures to minimize disruptions, with Chief Advisor Alapan Bandopadhyay urging the public to avoid participating in the strike. Authorities have instructed that transport services, markets, and businesses remain operational, and government employees are expected to report to work as usual.
As the strike unfolds, West Bengal remains tense, with the political battle over law and order intensifying in the wake of the recent tragedy.