Protest Movements Intensify in Bengal
Samprikta Bose
The call for justice in the brutal rape and murder of Abhaya is intensifying in West Bengal, with the Abhaya Mancha, a powerful coalition of diverse organisations, declaring a series of protests for the coming month. The movement's explicit goal is to rid Bengal of "rapists, oppressors, looters, and their patrons and protectors."
A significant "Kalighat Chalo" (March to Kalighat) programme has been slated for August 9, aiming to ignite a widespread struggle. This decisive call emerged from a convention held by the Abhaya Mancha at Moulali Yuva Kendra on July 25.
Leading up to this major demonstration, a torch rally and gathering will illuminate Shyambazar on the night of August 8, a solemn remembrance of the horrific time of Abhaya's torture and murder. Further underscoring their commitment, all participating organisations will observe a "Raat Jaago" (Stay Awake) programme at midnight on August 14, culminating in the hoisting of the national flag.
In a direct challenge to what the Mancha alleges is CBI inaction and "setting theories" (attempts to frame or manipulate evidence), a bold march on the CGO Complex has been announced for August 1. Protesters have been urged to symbolically "lock up" the CBI office with brooms, signifying their disgust with the agency's perceived failures.
At the Moulali Yuva Kendra convention, conveners of the Abhaya Mancha asserted their right to legal recourse and peaceful protest, vowing to defy police obstruction of their programmes. The convention, "Current and Future Vision of Abhaya Movement," was led by a diverse presidium, including Asit Bhattacharya, Soumya Dutta, Dr. Hiralal Konar, Seema Mukherjee, Nanda Mukherjee, Swati Chakraborty, and Elora Debnath.
Prominent attendees from Abhaya Mancha included Joint Conveners Dr Punyabrata Gun, Dr Tamonash Chowdhury, and Manisha Adak. They were joined by leaders from supporting organisations, such as Dr. Utpal Bandyopadhyay and Dr. Subarna Goswami of the Association of Health Service Doctors (AHSD), and representatives from other medical and civil society groups under the Abhaya Mancha umbrella, including the Joint Platform of Doctors and the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front.
The convention commenced with a powerful documentary showcasing the statewide protests following Abhaya's rape and murder at R G Kar Hospital. Manisha Adak, joint convener of Abhaya Mancha, set a resolute tone by declaring, "Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere," before presenting the core resolution.
Dr Tamonash Chowdhury outlined the upcoming programmes and the demands, and said, "Our demand is that the ruling party, which supports rapists, criminals, and murderers, must leave Bengal. The CBI must immediately ensure fair justice. The main culprits of Abhaya's murder must be punished appropriately and exemplarily. The chief minister and the then Kolkata Police Commissioner must be brought under CBI investigation. A fear-free political and social environment must be ensured across the state immediately. Corrupt individuals and looters must be put in jail. On August 9, we will march to Kalighat. If attempts are made to derail the Abhaya Mancha's movement, the wave of protest will get even stronger."
The resolution found robust support from a wide array of speakers, including Biswajit Gupta Chowdhury (general secretary of the State Co-ordination Committee), Sandeep Roy (general secretary of the Panchayat Joint Committee), Srijit Sengupta (Bank Employees’ Federation, West Bengal), Samita Har Chowdhury (All India Democratic Women's Association), Basab Roychoudhuri (general secretary of WBMSAU), and Rupak Mukherjee (Central Co-ordination Committee). Leaders from the Paschim Banga Basti Unnayan Samiti, SFI, and DYFI, alongside representatives from various labour organisations and democratic movements, all lent their voices, collectively emphasizing the urgent need for a stronger fight against the prevailing misgovernance.
Speakers highlighted concerted efforts to suppress public dissent, asserting the interconnectedness of movements for constitutional protection, social change, and justice. They underscored the critical need for more unified street protests to "spread the fire of dissent" against what they termed the government's "shameless deceit and its condoning of injustice." The message was clear: "We do not want any more R G Kar or Kasba incidents," they declared, signalling a demand for an end to such atrocities and accountability for those responsible.
STUDENT SIT-IN
Thousands of students, guardians, and prominent public figures converged at College Square on July 29 for an all-day sit-in, vehemently protesting what they describe as "state-sponsored privatisation and migration of students" within West Bengal's education sector. This massive demonstration, spearheaded by a joint front of student organisations including SFI, AISF, AISB, PSU, and AISA, forcefully articulated deep concerns about the future of underprivileged meritorious students and leveled serious accusations of rampant corruption plaguing the state's educational system. The impassioned protest follows months of mounting frustration over delayed Joint Entrance Examination results and stalled graduation admission procedures.
At 11 am, an agitation commenced at the base of the Vidyasagar statue, characterised by fervent speeches and resolute chants against current education policies. Banners and placards prominently displayed the protest's core demands: "Complete the college admission process without infringing upon the rights of reserved category candidates," and "Publish Joint Entrance examination results without delay." Additionally, a crucial demand called for the "inspection of reservation certificates during admission and job examinations."
Beyond these initial points, protestors vociferously added new accusations, alleging that the state is actively pushing eligible students out of West Bengal or coercing them towards private education. Speakers consistently highlighted instances of alleged corruption within the state's education sector, claiming it further erodes transparency and fairness in both admissions and appointments.
Throughout the day, dedicated teams from the student organisations advanced to Bikas Bhavan and the Joint Entrance Board, formally submitting their grievances and demands to the respective authorities through deputations. The protest gained a profound human element due to the participation of "candidates facing these troubles and their guardians." Many shared their heartfelt individual struggles and concerns regarding equitable access to higher education amid existing difficulties. The movement also received considerable backing from several notable figures, including Prof. Nandini Mukherjee, Dr. Utpal Banerjee, advocate Samim Ahmed, and artist Sanatan Dinda. These eminent individuals joined the students, speaking out against the injustices and highlighting the critical state of the education system.
Leadership and activists from all participating organisations – SFI, AISF, AISB, PSU, and AISA –were prominently at the forefront of the massive turnout and galvanizing the crowd.
The protest concluded late in the evening, with the student organisations vowing to continue their agitation until their demands are met and a truly inclusive, transparent, and accessible education system is ensured for all students in West Bengal. The message from College Square is clear: the fight for educational justice in the state will continue.
