The West Bengal Youth Congress’s protest march to the Legislative Assembly in Kolkata was cut short on Monday amid the ongoing Winter Session. The police intervened, stopping the Youth Congress workers well before their destination. Several demonstrators who attempted to dismantle the barricades were detained.
The march aimed to highlight issues such as unemployment and rising inflation in West Bengal, the alleged corruption in the PM-Awas and Banglar Awas Yojana schemes, and to demand justice in the RG Kar rape and murder case.
However, the police blocked the path towards the Vidhan Sabha by putting a barricade on Rani Rashmoni Avenue from where the youth congress activists had started their march. This led to the protesters clashing with police as they attempted to break through and continue towards the assembly. However, the substantial police presence effectively prevented any major incidents from occurring.
Criticising the police action, the Youth Congress agitators accused the Trinamool Congress government of hypocrisy. They said that the Trinamool once blamed the CPIM for using police to suppress movements, but now, after coming to power, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is mirroring the actions of the previous regime.
Led by West Bengal Pradesh Youth Congress President Azahar Mollick, they criticised Mamata Banerjee’s administration, saying people elected a new government hoping for change, but the reality has brought no relief.
They alleged that the RG Kar case highlighted the lack of safety for women, while the purported Awas scheme scandal underscored the depth of corruption. “Yet, rather than taking action against the culprits, the authorities are focusing on suppressing the protesters' movement,” Mollick told the media.