Video: Elderly man stands firm against Kolkata Police water cannons
A video of an elderly man standing firm against police water cannons during the "Nabanna Abhijan" rally in Kolkata on Tuesday has gone viral. The rally was organized to protest the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and to demand the resignation of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. In the video, the man can be seen holding up the national flag, despite being targeted by water cannons used for crowd control.
BJP leaders share video, hail man's determination
The video of the elderly man's defiance was shared by several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. BJP leader Locket Chatterjee praised the man for his "steadfast determination" against the West Bengal government. She wrote on social media, "End anarchy, end fascism. We all demand the end of TMC's tyranny." Amit Malviya, head of BJP IT cell, also shared the video and described it as a symbol of defiance against an oppressive regime.
TMC labels protesters as 'hooligans'
In response to the viral video, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Riju Dutta shared a collage of several protesters, including the elderly man. "They wanted 'Dead Bodies,' they wanted to create a Anarchy like Bangladesh...They pelted stones at police, broke barricades, destroyed police vehicles, set fire to motorcycles, multiple police badly injured...This will NOT BE TOLERATED!," he said. Dutta also expressed his gratitude toward the West Bengal Police for "for keeping their composure even under attack and restoring law and order."
Watch the video here
'Nabanna Abhijan' rally leads to clashes, arrests
The "Nabanna Abhijan" rally was organized by student body 'Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj' and other organizations. Despite being declared "illegal" and "unauthorized" by state police due to concerns over potential violence and public disorder, it went ahead. The rally led to clashes between police and protesters in various areas of Kolkata and Howrah. Over 200 people were arrested in connection with the rally that saw attempts to breach barricades toward the West Bengal secretariat.
BJP calls for 'Bangla bandh' following rally
Following the rally and subsequent police action, the BJP called for a 12-hour "Bangla bandh" on Wednesday. The bandh was in protest against what they termed as "brutal" police action against "peaceful" protesters during the rally on Tuesday. The protest started at College Square in Kolkata and ended at the West Bengal Secretariat "Nabanna." The protesters also congregated in Howrah's Santragachi area. However, the peaceful march quickly became chaotic, with unruly scenes reported across the state capital.
