Chaos At RG Kar Protest: Victim’s Parents Injured, Taken To Hospital

In Kolkata, a protest march to Nabanna, the West Bengal state secretariat, turned chaotic as police clashed with demonstrators, injuring the parents of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim. The couple was hospitalized at a private facility following the incident. Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition, who visited them, described the mother’s condition as critical, while the father appeared stable.

The rally, named the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan,’ marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic incident and had Calcutta High Court approval for a peaceful gathering. Authorities designated Rani Rashmoni Avenue and Santragachi for protests, but the victim’s parents, joined by Adhikari, diverted from the approved route at Dorina Crossing toward Park Street, heading for the secretariat.

Tensions escalated as protesters ignored police warnings, prompting a lathi-charge. The victim’s mother, quoted by PTI, alleged she sustained a head injury and her traditional ‘shankha’ bangle was broken, stating, “Why stop us? We only seek justice for my daughter.” Her husband claimed they were barred from joining despite court permission.

Last year’s brutal assault and murder of the young doctor at the state-run RG Kar hospital sparked nationwide outrage, leading to strikes by medical professionals. Sanjay Roy, a civic police volunteer, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in January. However, the victim’s parents remain dissatisfied with the CBI’s investigation, recently meeting its director, Praveen Sood, in Delhi to express concerns.

Returning to Kolkata, they led the march to engage Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Anticipating large crowds, police deployed heavy security, especially in Howrah, home to Nabanna. Protesters clashed with officers, throwing bricks and shoes, and attempted to dismantle barricades in Santragachi, triggering further police action. Similar measures were used at Park Street as the group tried crossing toward Vidyasagar Setu.

The Rapid Action Force was called to control the unrest. The BJP reported around 100 protesters injured. Adhikari and other BJP legislators staged a sit-in at Park Street and Jawaharlal Nehru Road to protest the police response.