West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar condemned police action against student protesters during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ march in Kolkata and Howrah on Tuesday. Majumdar wrote to Governor CV Ananda Bose, highlighting the “excessive use of force by the police” and demanded the “unconditional release” of detained students. He emphasized that the police’s actions were “disproportionate and unprovoked,” undermining democratic values.

The protest, organized by Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, turned violent as protesters clashed with police while attempting to reach the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna. Both police and protesters sustained injuries, and over 200 people were arrested. Police resorted to using water cannons, tear gas, and lathi charges to control the crowd.

The incident has sparked a political battle between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). BJP leaders criticized the state government’s handling of the protest, while TMC leaders accused the BJP of inciting chaos. Amid the tensions, BJP called for a 12-hour ‘Bangla Bandh’ on Wednesday, which led to disruptions in daily life across parts of West Bengal.

Union Minister JP Nadda accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “surpassing all boundaries of cruelty” and criticized her silence on a recent rape case in the state. Meanwhile, TMC leader Mahua Moitra alleged that BJP workers were “forcefully shutting high schools” during the bandh. In response to the ongoing unrest, Mamata Banerjee expressed solidarity with the family of the RG Kar Hospital victim and urged students to remain committed to a “bright future.”