West Bengal: Violence And Clashes Break Out Amid BJP’s Nabanna Chalo Rally

In the Howrah district of West Bengal, a huge protest and rally was witnessed on the 8th of October.

The youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called a “Nabanna Chalo” (March to Nabanna) rally. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) organised the agitation to protest against what they allege as law and order problems in the state.

In the wake of the organized rally, a huge commotion was witnessed and clashes broke out between the West Bengal Police and the BJP workers.

In order to stop the march to Nabanna, the West Bengal Government deployed heavy police forces and resorted to lathi charge, water cannons and tear gas.

Areas where heavy protest and clashes were witnessed are Howrah, Santragachi, Burrabazar and Kolkata.

Police personnel were stationed outside the BJP state headquarters in Kolkata this morning.

It is also noted, on the evening of the 7th of October, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led West Bengal Government announced to shut the secretariat and government offices for two days, the 8th and the 9th of October.

However, the West Bengal Government said it would be for sanitization purposes.

In addition, Writers’ Building, the old secretariat in Kolkata also closed.

The BJP and the BJYM leaders are leading four processions from various locations in Kolkata and Howrah to Nabanna. Nearly 25,000 youths attended rallies in various locations. Many BJP supporters also came on roads supporting the BJP.

Tejasvi Surya, the newly appointed National President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha is leading the march.

Tejasvi Surya said, “Mamata didi got afraid. I have learnt that she has closed the CMO. This is the sign of a real paribartan (change) in Bengal and this is being led by the patriotic youth of the state and the rest of the country is with them.”

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Home Department, on the 7th of October wrote a letter to the BJYM denying permission to conduct the rally.

The letter read, “This is not permissible in the pandemic situation.”

The letter further read, “You are probably also aware that Section 144 of Cr PC is in force in and around Nabanna. Therefore, we request you kindly to help us in providing you necessary help for peaceful and democratic rallies, within allowed parameters, within the rules of law and not headed to a destination where Section 144 of Cr PC would be violated.”

The letter also added, “We welcome all peaceful and democratic rallies having specific destinations where Section 144 of Cr PC and other provisions of the rule of law are not violated.”

Visuals from the spot showed the police trying to disperse them with tear gas and water cannons.

Locket Chatterjee, a BJP leader said, “The police is lathi charging our people… Stone pelting is being done from Khidirpur side. Can’t the police see that?”

Asked about the risk of holding a protest during a pandemic and associated violation of rules, the BJP’s Bengal in charge Kailash Vijayvargiya said, “All workers are wearing masks. Are rules only for us? Mamata Ji holds demonstrations with thousands and we’re being taught lessons of social distancing. Do same rules not apply to her?”

The rallies at various locations started from 2:00 P.M., on the 8th October.