Disorder at RG Kar Protest as Victim's Mother Claims Injured by Police Actions
On August 9, 2025, a peaceful protest rally in Kolkata took a turn for the worse as the police resorted to lathi-charging the demonstrators. The rally was organised by the family of the RG Kar rape and murder victim, demanding justice one year after the horrific incident.
The protest, known as 'Nabanna Abhiyan', aimed to march towards the state secretariat, Nabanna, in Kolkata. However, chaos unfolded as demonstrators tried to push through police barriers despite warnings. The clashes between the protesters and the police occurred at multiple points, including Santragachi in Howrah and Park Street crossing.
The victim's mother, who participated in the protest, expressed her desire to reach the secretariat and seek justice for her daughter. Tragically, during the march, the police lathi-charged the protesters, resulting in the victim's mother sustaining a head injury. Furthermore, her traditional conch shell bangle, known as a 'shankha', was broken during the police action.
The family's frustration and distrust towards the investigative agencies, particularly the CBI, and the slow progress in fully resolving the case despite the conviction of the main accused were highlighted during the protest. The police response to the rally, including the lathi charge, reflects the tense situation surrounding the anniversary protests and the ongoing demand for accountability in this high-profile case.
Notably, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, and other BJP MLAs staged a protest at Park Street-Jawaharlal Nehru Road crossing, expressing their solidarity with the family. The BJP claimed at least 100 protesters were injured in the police action.
The young doctor's rape-murder at the state-run RG Kar hospital last year shook the nation. Sanjay Roy, the civic police volunteer convicted in the case this January, was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the parents of the victim have expressed their dissatisfaction with the CBI's probe into the case, and recently met CBI Director Praveen Sood in Delhi to discuss their concerns.
Doctors across the nation voiced their concerns and went on a strike in response to the incident. The police made tight security arrangements along the route, especially in Howrah district where Nabanna is located. Despite having a court permission for the rally, the family claimed they were stopped from joining the march.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with many questioning the police's actions and the ongoing investigation into the case. The family's pursuit of justice continues, and the anniversary of the tragic incident serves as a reminder of the need for a swift and fair resolution to this high-profile case.
The "Nabanna Abhiyan" protest, initiated by the family of the RG Kar rape and murder victim, expanded to include general-news topics such as politics and crime-and-justice, as they demanded justice and accountability from the investigative agencies, particularly the CBI, one year after the incident. The escalation of the peaceful protest into chaos, including clashes with the police and the injury of the victim's mother, has further fueled public outrage and calls for a swift resolution to this high-profile case.
