TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee blazes a gun at BJP for the violence unleashed during Nabanna Abhiyaan
Netizens said that protestors should face trial under the UAPA and their homes should be bulldozed as it gets done in the BJP-ruled states for those who protest and allegedly destroy public properties or resort to violence
Kolkata: A day after violence marred Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nabanna Chalo protest, Abhishek Banerjee, national secretary of Trinamool Congress alleged that people in BJP think that they can ‘get away’ with the ‘violence’ as they will get ‘bail’ easily.
“BJP cadres after violence think that they can easily escape and get bail as a section of the judiciary is with them. We salute those who stand against the odds and give a true verdict. We now await Calcutta High Court’s verdict on the brutalities witnessed in the name of ‘peaceful protests.’ We will see on September 19 what the court says about it. We’ve full faith in the judiciary,” said Abhishek.
Earlier, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had claimed that most of the protestors in the Nabanna Abhiyaan were sourced from outside the state.
“I am indebted to the media channels for showing the real face of yesterday’s violence unleashed by BJP to the general public. During yesterday’s Abhiyaan, not once did we see BJP leaders talking about the reason for their protest. Not a word of what their grievance was about. BJP leaders are trying to justify their actions by claiming that Trinamool Congress did not allow them to reach Nabanna. They claim that the Bengal police didn’t allow them to protest. According to them, AITC and state police stopped them. But who attacked the police? Who set ablaze police vans when they were stopped?” questioned Abhishek.
Abhishek talked to media persons after visiting ACP Debjit Chattopadhyay at SSKM hospital. The ACP sustained a fracture in his hand after alleged BJP supporters assaulted him during the protest. At least 37 policemen including the ACP were injured in the violence unleashed by the BJP cadres. Kolkata Police registered 7 FIRs against the protestors for unlawful assembly, violating section 144 of CrPC. So far 20 people have been arrested including three for the alleged attack on ACP and one for torching a police van.
On social media, videos of BJP workers beating Kolkata police personnel and torching police vehicles went viral on Wednesday. Some netizens also said that protestors should face trial under the UAPA and their homes should be bulldozed as it gets done in the BJP-ruled states for those who protest and allegedly destroy public properties or resort to violence.
Abhishek also pointed out that it is not the first time, BJP’s cadres resort to violence in the state capital, “On May 14, 2019, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s bust was vandalised by BJP goons. The same was repeated yesterday. How vandalism was done, is condemnable. Police vehicles were torched, officers were hit with iron rods,” he mentioned.
Praising the state police, TMC national secretary said that had he been present during the ‘violence’ then he would have ‘shot above the head’.
“I salute all the officers of the police force for how they conducted themselves, for showing sheer patience, endurance and remaining in the ambit of the Constitution. It is because of their efforts that Bengal is secure today. It is because of their efforts that Kolkata remains the safest city in our country,” said Abhishek.
Slamming the CPI (M), he claimed that the ‘goons’ of the CPI (M) are now in BJP and are conducting ‘hooliganism’ in the same manner.
“The CPM did not put out even one statement on the vandalism that took place in Bengal. It is because their goons are now in BJP. Only their jersey has changed. The same people who have done Marichjhapi, Singur and Nandigram are today indulged in the violence,” added Abhishek.
On TMC national secretary’s comment that if he was in the police force, he would have shot them (the protestors), state BJP president, Sukanta Majumdar said, “Abhishek is talking about trigger-happy police. His comment about the judiciary is also condemnable.”
However, Sukanta said, “We have resorted to peaceful movement. We condemn the attack on police officer Debjit Chatterjee and all other police personnel. We are not associated with any attack on police. We do not want to hear the message of peace and non-violence from the Trinamool Congress.”
Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed BJP, saying that they have brought ‘outsiders’ to spread alleged ‘hooliganism’ and ‘anti-social’ activities.
“In a democracy, anyone takes part in agitation but that doesn’t mean in the name of protest they (BJP) will carry firearms and bombs. In the name of protest, BJP had damaged several public properties and policemen were also severely injured,” said Mamata.
Stating that anti-social activities cannot go into politics, Mamata also said that if the police wanted they could have ‘opened fire’ during the protest.
“If the police wanted they could have opened fire but that is not a good thing to do. The police tackled the situation with dignity and in a restricted manner tried to disperse the crowd peacefully. The law will take its course,” added Mamata.
