Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters of threatening her and disrupting a party protest rally in Kolkata. She also alleged that the police acted in a partisan manner and failed to protect women participants during the demonstration, which was organised over the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur.
Addressing supporters after the rally, Banerjee claimed that the protest had been held with permission from the Calcutta High Court, but BJP workers allegedly created obstacles from the morning by organising parallel demonstrations. She alleged that hundreds of "BJP goons" on motorcycles intimidated TMC supporters and attempted to derail the march. Banerjee said the situation reflected a complete breakdown of law and order and questioned why the police failed to ensure the peaceful conduct of the rally despite court approval.
The TMC chief further alleged that women taking part in the procession were attacked during the clashes. According to party leaders, several women workers were assaulted, while dozens of TMC supporters sustained injuries in confrontations with BJP workers. The party claimed that at least 41 workers were injured and admitted to hospital, although police have not officially confirmed the figure.
Banerjee accused the police of acting as an "arm of the BJP" instead of remaining impartial. She appealed to law enforcement personnel to protect women and ordinary citizens rather than taking political sides. She also alleged that she was being kept under police surveillance ahead of the protest, comparing the situation to being placed under house arrest.
The BJP rejected the allegations and accused the TMC of attempting to politicise the incident. The party maintained that its workers had organised peaceful counter-protests and denied responsibility for the violence. Meanwhile, clashes between supporters of both parties led to heavy security deployment, with Central Armed Police Forces intervening to prevent further escalation.
Kolkata Police have not issued an official statement confirming Banerjee's allegations regarding attacks on women or political bias. Authorities said they are examining video footage and other evidence from the clashes to identify those involved. The incident has further intensified the political confrontation between the TMC and the BJP, with both parties trading allegations over responsibility for the violence.
