‘Is this the change people wanted?’: Mamata alleges BJP-backed attack during TMC rally

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that BJP-backed miscreants carried out a “brutal attack” during a Trinamool Congress (TMC) protest rally in south Kolkata.

Appearing on social media live after the rally the Trinamool Congress chief accused the BJP government and the police of facilitating violence and suppressing the opposition’s democratic rights.

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Claiming that the rally was organised peacefully to protest the alleged gang rape in Baruipur after obtaining the Calcutta High Court’s approval, Banerjee said, “The court had permitted the use of hand microphones, but the police forcibly snatched them away. From early morning, BJP-backed outsiders created havoc in the area by playing loud DJs. Our students and youth were brutally assaulted.”

“I personally went outside my residence to rescue the injured. Many of them were bleeding from head injuries. Is this the change that the people of Bengal wanted?” she said.

“The sacred chant of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is being insulted by using it as a political weapon. The sentiments of genuine devotees are being hurt,” she further claimed.

Speaking about the commotion during the procession, she said, “The BJP goons have not even spared the women. They hit them with sticks, rods and bricks. I have sent them to the hospital and a team of our lawyers have been sent to attend them. I don’t know whether they will get any treatment there.”

In a sharp attack on the police administration, the former chief minister alleged that the force has lost its neutrality.

“When women are being raped, the police are nowhere to be found. But they have virtually placed me under house arrest. There is round-the-clock surveillance outside my residence. The police are no longer protectors of the people; they have become an arm of the BJP. Police station officers have become BJP block presidents and SPs are functioning like district presidents,” Banerjee alleged.

She also claimed that sections of the police were sharing details of TMC programmes with BJP workers, enabling attacks on opposition activists.

Banerjee further claimed that a complete collapse of law and order under the BJP government, saying that more than 14 women and children had been raped or assaulted in the past two months.

“Every one is scared. From hawkers to women, from common people to businessmen – the people are scared of this government. I have not seen such lawlessness in my life. Police are not even caring to abide by the High Court’s order,” the former chief minister said.

She also accused the government of compromising children’s nutrition by discontinuing eggs in mid-day meals, alleging that “the eggs are now being looted by BJP workers.”

Appealing to the government to restore peace, she said, “Run the government peacefully, maintain law and order and stop curbing the democratic rights of the people.”

The allegations came after chaos broke out during a TMC students’ and youth rally that began from Ballygunge on Wednesday with the Calcutta High Court’s permission.

As the procession moved towards Kalighat to protest the alleged Baruipur gang rape, counter slogans of “chor chor” and songs targeting the TMC were raised from the roadside. TMC alleged that BJP workers entered the vicinity of the rally, leading to scuffles and clashes between supporters of the two parties.

Police personnel rushed in with batons to bring the situation under control. As the situation escalated, Banerjee came out of her Kalighat residence to meet injured party workers and oversee the situation.

Amid heavy crowding outside her home, she attempted to control the gathering, and was seen slapping a party worker in the heat of the moment.

She was also seen reprimanding and striking a few other TMC workers in an apparent attempt to restore order.