Kolkata: On Saturday, the West Bengal Police used lathi charges against protesters in central Kolkata as they tried to break through barricades during the ‘Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan’, a march aimed at the state secretariat to seek justice for the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College Hospital on August 9, 2024, a year ago.

The parents of the victim also took part in the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ rally. The father of the RG Kar rape and murder victim stated, “The high court has granted us permission to protest peacefully… The police lathi charged us, which resulted in our injuries… On August 9, 2024, the police treated us very poorly… We were only allowed to see the body after a phone call with Mamata Banerjee. We had to wait outside for 3 hours and 30 minutes…”

In response, the West Bengal Police has increased security in Howrah by sending in more forces and riot control vehicles.

BJP leader Ashok Dinda, speaking at the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ rally, remarked, “… That day is not far when we will have to retaliate against the police as well. They will be severely beaten. Once the BJP leadership gives the order, we will strike the police so hard that they will have to seek refuge behind Mamata Banerjee…”

A year after the tragic incident involving the RG Kar student, students and leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party participated in a ‘Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan’ protest march on Saturday, demanding justice for the victim.

In a previous post on X, the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, stated, “On the anniversary of that tragic day when the young female doctor ‘Abhaya’, who was on duty at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, was raped and murdered, I pay my respects in memory of sister ‘Abhaya’ and pray for her soul’s peace. In response to the plea from sister ‘Abhaya’s’ parents, and to protest against the reprehensible efforts to cover up that dreadful incident through collective administrative actions, as well as the conspiracy to hide evidence aimed at protecting the perpetrators, I will take part in the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ today in the hope of achieving justice.”

The incident involving the rape and murder of the RG Kar Medical College occurred on August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor was discovered dead in a seminar room on the campus. This case sparked widespread protests and outrage throughout the nation, with many calling for justice for the victim.

The investigation was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction with how the police managed the case. Since then, the CBI has arrested multiple individuals.

On Wednesday, the victim’s father voiced his disappointment with both the CBI and Kolkata Police regarding the investigation.

He remarked, “We have come to Delhi with hope. It has been a year now, and we have been seeking justice. We will exert pressure on the CBI. We aim to meet the CBI Director tomorrow. If we can meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he might be able to encourage the CBI to work more effectively.

The CBI and Kolkata Police have misrepresented the situation to the public. Our struggle is to ensure a safe environment for women in society. Over the past year, the CBI has failed to uncover any facts.” He also claimed that such incidents are common in colleges within the state, citing a similar occurrence at a law college in the past.