Kolkata Police have taken legal action against several BJP leaders and party workers in connection with the August 8 Nabanna Abhiyan protest, which was organised to demand justice for the postgraduate trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year. Those who have been issued notices include BJP MLA Ashok Dinda, councillor Sajal Ghosh, North Kolkata district president Tamaghno Ghosh, and party members Bhola Sonkar, Kushal Pandey, and Kamaljit Singh. According to the police, the march resulted in multiple incidents that broke the law, prompting the registration of various cases.
The protest, which marked the first anniversary of the high-profile case, began as a political rally but quickly escalated into large-scale unrest in Kolkata and Howrah. Participants had gathered to march to the state secretariat, Nabanna, to press their demand for a fair investigation and speedy justice. However, police allege that sections of the procession diverted from the approved route, leading to chaos and violent clashes in certain areas. The disruption caused traffic snarls, property damage, and injuries to both police personnel and civilians.
In total, seven cases were registered about the violence — five by Kolkata Police and two by Howrah Police. Four FIRs were lodged at New Market police station, while one was filed at Hare Street police station. The remaining two were registered in Howrah. The case at Hare Street police station includes charges of violating Calcutta High Court directives, diverting the rally route without permission, obstructing public roads, and disobeying lawful instructions from public officials. These charges indicate that the organisers may have deliberately disregarded court and police guidelines.
The FIRs at the New Market police station cover a range of serious allegations. These include an incident where a police constable was “brutally assaulted” and suffered head injuries, the vandalism of a hawkers’ union office, and the destruction of a journalist’s camera while he was covering the protest. In another case, protesters are accused of unlawfully confining a media professional. Police have described these actions as deliberate attempts to provoke disorder and intimidate both the public and the press.
Authorities have indicated that the current cases may not be the end of the legal action. They are in the process of seeking the court’s permission to register two additional cases against BJP leaders and supporters involved in the unrest. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage, media recordings, and witness testimonies to identify more participants in the alleged violence.
The political fallout from the incident has been immediate, with BJP leaders claiming that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at suppressing dissent. They have argued that the rally was a legitimate democratic protest against the government’s failure to secure justice in the RG Kar rape-murder case. Meanwhile, ruling party leaders have condemned the violence, asserting that such lawlessness undermines public trust and disrupts civic life.
The Nabanna Abhiyan protest has thus become the latest flashpoint in West Bengal’s tense political climate, where confrontations between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress-led state government have often turned hostile. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen whether the legal proceedings will lead to convictions or deepen the already polarised political landscape of the state.
