Kolkata: Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on August 28 joined the protests amid a 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' called by the BJP to protest the alleged police action on protesters during a protest rally in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The BJP leader participated in a rally in Kolkata's Baguiati. Police and other security personnel wearing helmets were also present at the spot.
Sukanta Majumdar, who is the also state BJP President, told reporters, that they will start a seven-day dharna from August 29 after the Kolkata High Court permitted them.
"Kolkata HC has given us permission for a seven-day Dharna. We will start it from tomorrow...We welcome their verdict...There is no democracy here, police cannot stop firing but only stop BJP's protest. The police can arrest BJP leaders but not the accused," he told reporters.
Earlier today, the Trinamool Congress party workers staged a protest against BJP's 'Bengal Bandh'.
Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, accused the BJP of trying to create anarchy in Bengal.
"We all want justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. Mamata Banerjee also wants justice...the case is now in CBI's hands...One accused has been arrested...now the CBI is investigating the matter...They (BJP) are trying to create anarchy here, yesterday they attacked the police and today they have called this bandh...Everything is normal in Bengal...The people of West Bengal have rejected BJP's bandh," said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
In West Bengal, BJP called for a '12-hour Bengal Bandh' after Kolkata police resorted to lathi-charge, the use of water cannons and tear gas against the protestors in the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally.
On August 27, chaos broke out in the streets of Kolkata. Security personnel lobbed tear gas shells, used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse protestors on the Howrah Bridge marching towards the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna, amidst the growing protests over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.
The murder and alleged sexual assault of a female trainee doctor on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital caused national outrage and many rallies have been held in different states of the country.
—ANI