Protesting RG Kar Rape Case Anniversary: Kolkata Police Use Batons Over Demonstrators During 'Nabanna Campaign' March
On Saturday, Kolkata witnessed a significant demonstration as protestors participated in a justice march related to the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case. The march was organised under the banner of the 'Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan'.
Extensive Security Measures
Authorities made extensive security arrangements for the day, including heavy police deployment, Rapid Action Force personnel, water cannons, and drones for aerial surveillance. Traffic movement on the Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu over the Hooghly River was suspended to prevent the agitators from advancing. Multi-layer barricades were set up at key intersections across Kolkata and Howrah. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS were enforced in areas surrounding Nabanna.
Leadership and Participation
The march was led by senior leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Agnimitra Paul. Adhikari stated that the Mamata Banerjee administration is afraid of the large turnout demanding justice. He called on BJP workers to join the protest without carrying any party flags or symbols. Accompanied by several BJP MLAs, Adhikari stood in solidarity with the victim's parents at Dorina Crossing in Esplanade, Central Kolkata, without any BJP banners or insignia.
The victim's parents urged the public to support the march, and protestors carried the national Tricolour, posters, and banners seeking justice for the RG Kar victim.
Ongoing Legal Efforts
The victim's family remains active in seeking justice beyond the conviction of the prime accused, Sanjay Roy, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2025. The victim's father has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking permission for lawyers to visit the crime scene to examine possible lapses or conspiracies, reflecting ongoing dissatisfaction with the investigation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is still probing allegations of a wider conspiracy behind the crime, but its investigation remains incomplete as of August 2025.
Clashes and Confrontations
Despite police restrictions, parts of Kolkata and Howrah witnessed chaos when protesters tried to march towards Nabanna, clashing with police at Park Street, who used lathi charge to stop the rally. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari supported the protesters and staged a sit-in after the police intervention.
Public Outrage and Criticism
The RG Kar incident continues to trigger public outrage, with this march emphasizing the demand for justice and increasing criticism of the state administration. Slogans were raised condemning the incident, calling for accountability, and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/westbengal/police-deny-permission-for-march-to-nabanna-on-rg-kar-anniversary/article32597876.ece [2] https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/bjp-workers-stage-sit-in-protest-in-kolkata-over-rg-kar-medical-college-case-2823705 [3] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/westbengal/victims-father-seeks-calcutta-high-court-permission-to-visit-crime-scene/article32580911.ece [4] https://www.thestatesman.com/kolkata/bjp-leader-suvendu-adhikari-leads-protest-march-in-kolkata-on-rg-kar-medical-college-case-anniversary-1502974696.html [5] https://www.news18.com/news/india/west-bengal-protest-march-on-rg-kar-medical-college-anniversary-police-deny-permission-say-security-concerns-3912059.html
- Following the justice march led by Suvendu Adhikari and Agnimitra Paul, there have been increasing calls for accountability and demands for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the general-news sphere, reflecting public outrage over the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case.
- As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its investigation into a possible wider conspiracy behind the RG Kar crime, the case has expanded from crime-and-justice headlines to becoming a significant topic in West Bengal's politics.
