On Monday, the West Bengal Police declared that the 'Nabanna Campaign' organized by students demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation is illegal. The police stated that no permission was granted for the protest scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, and intelligence reports suggest potential violence and chaos during the demonstration.
Student Organization Plans Rally!
This response came following reports that an organization called 'West Bengal Students' Society' plans to rally to Nabanna, the state secretariat, to demand Mamata Banerjee's resignation. The rally is being organized in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. However, the police mentioned that they have no information about this student organization, nor has anyone sought permission for the protest.
The Police Respond: No Permission Sought
Manoj Verma, the Additional Director General and Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) of West Bengal, stated that Nabanna, being a secure and restricted area, requires prior permission for any organization's protest. He said, "We learned about the 'Nabanna Campaign' through media reports and social media, but no organization has sought our permission yet. Nabanna is a restricted area, and if they wish to protest there, they must obtain prior permission from the police. The police will then make a decision."
Verma further noted, "No one can organize this protest without permission because it is illegal. If they wish, we can arrange for it to be held elsewhere. We also have intelligence inputs suggesting that the organizers aim to create chaos to provoke police action, from which they hope to benefit. These inputs have been shared with all our units."
Section 163 Already Enforced in the Area
The West Bengal government has already enforced Section 163 around Nabanna, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people. Verma assured students that there would be no inconvenience for those appearing for the UGC NET exam scheduled for Tuesday. He stated that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the exam so that students and the general public do not face any trouble. He said, "An exam is also scheduled for the same day. We will assist students and the public to ensure they do not face any inconvenience."
Not Organized by BJP, But Supported by Protesters: Rahul Sinha
Meanwhile, BJP leader Rahul Sinha mentioned that the 'Nabanna Campaign' protest was not organized by the BJP, but the party supports anyone raising their voice against this injustice and issue. He said, "Mamata Banerjee wants to politicize the matter, while it is a social movement." Sinha further stated, "Mamata Banerjee wants to stop this rally, but she needs to explain why she organized the 'Mahakaran Rally' in 1993, which caused so many deaths."
