On the one-year anniversary of the brutal rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, protesters plan a march to Nabanna. Security tightened in Kolkata and Howrah ahead of the event.
RG Kar protest
Police resorted to lathi-charge on Saturday to disperse protesters during a justice march for the RG Kar Medical College rape case victim, as demonstrators attempted to remove barricades set up by the police in central Kolkata.
The demonstrators had planned a march to the West Bengal secretariat, ‘Nabanna’.
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Led by senior BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Agnimitra Paul, the protest commemorated the anniversary of the tragic RG Kar incident.
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As per ANI, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and other protestors tried to remove the barricades set up by the West Bengal police to contain them during the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ rally.
#WATCH | Kolkata | BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and other protestors trying to remove the barricades set up by West Bengal police to contain them during the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ rally. pic.x.com/eZzeym5HI1
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025
Meanwhile, in response to protestors’ action, West Bengal police had to resort to the use of force.
#WATCH | Kolkata | West Bengal Police deploys lathi charge at protestors during the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ rally. The rally has been called to mark the one-year anniversary of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder. pic.x.com/F3jtMFmXk3
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025
LoP Suvendu Adhikari alleged that BJP MLAs were baton-charged and the parents of RG Kar victim were injured in the police action during the march to Bengal secretariat.
Adhikari said, “…She (Mamata Banerjee) is protecting Vineet Kumar Goyal (former Police Commissioner of Kolkata) and Dr Sandip Ghosh (former principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital)… She should resign; otherwise, the people will wipe her out after 8 months…” He added: “Mamata should go”.
Agnimitra Paul alleged, “Mamata Banerjee is scared… It has been one year, and ‘abhaya’ has not received justice. This rally is against Mamata Banerjee. She got all the evidence erased. We demand her resignation.”
BJP leader Ashok Dinda said, “… That day is not far when we will have to beat up the police as well. They will be thoroughly thrashed. Once the BJP gives instructions from the top, we will beat up the police so much that they will have to hide behind Mamata Banerjee…”
Saturday, August 9, completed a year since the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital — a crime that shook West Bengal and the nation, triggering nationwide protests. Former civic police volunteer Sanjay Roy, arrested soon after the incident, was found guilty by a sessions court of rape and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Security was stepped up and traffic restrictions imposed across Kolkata and Howrah for the march to the West Bengal secretariat ‘Nabanna’, marking a year since the horrific rape and murder of the on-duty doctor at the state-run hospital.
Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in areas adjoining Nabanna, with multi-layer barricades set up at key crossings. Vehicular movement on the Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu over the Hooghly has also been halted.
As per a Calcutta High Court directive, two locations have been earmarked for peaceful gatherings — Santragachi bus stand in Howrah and Rani Rashmoni Avenue in central Kolkata.
The victim’s parents earlier urged citizens to join the Nabanna march.
Addressing a press conference at West Bengal Police headquarters in Bhawani Bhavan, ADG (Law and Order) Javed Shamim had said, “We are yet to receive any application from any organisation planning to take out a rally on Saturday to mark the first death anniversary of the RG Kar hospital doctor.”
He clarified that no protest would be allowed near the state secretariat, Nabanna, where Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is in force, prohibiting gatherings.
Earlier this week, the victim’s family met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CBI Director Praveen Sood in Delhi, alleging the investigation remains incomplete.
Marking the anniversary, students from various medical colleges and members of the public held a torchlight procession and vigil through Friday night, with more peaceful marches planned through the day.
Aug 2024 – Former civic police volunteer Sanjay Roy arrested.
Aug 2024 – Nationwide protests erupt; questions raised on women’s safety in Kolkata and security for doctors.
Aug 2024 – Calcutta High Court orders CBI to take over the probe.
Jan, 2025 – Sessions court finds Roy guilty of rape and murder; sentences him to life imprisonment.
Aug 5, 2025 – Victim’s family meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CBI Director Praveen Sood, alleging probe remains incomplete.
Aug 9, 2025 – On first anniversary, torchlight vigils and marches held by students, doctors, and citizens across Kolkata.
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