Kolkata ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ Rally: Video of Elderly Man Standing Strong Against Water Cannons Goes Viral; BJP and Trinamool React
A video showing an elderly man bravely enduring water cannons during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally in Kolkata has gone viral, sparking reactions from both BJP and Trinamool Congress leaders. The rally, held on Tuesday to protest the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was marked by clashes between protesters and police.
The video, widely circulated on social media by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, shows the man, dressed in a saffron-colored outfit, standing firm against the powerful spray of water cannons deployed by Kolkata Police to disperse the rallying crowd. The man is seen holding and waving the national flag, symbolizing his defiance.
BJP leader Locket Chatterjee responded to the footage, stating that the man’s actions exemplify “steadfast determination” against the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee. She posted on X, saying, “End anarchy, end fascism. We all want the tyranny of TMC to end. In the midst of exploding water cannons, this man is demonstrating his unwavering resolve to oppose the oppression of @MamataOfficial by holding the Tiranga. I stand by him, the people of the state stand by him, and the entire country is standing by him.”
The man is shown in the film as the “ultimate symbol of defiance” against the administration of Mamata Banerjee, according to Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP IT cell, who also uploaded it. “The ultimate symbol of defiance against an oppressive Mamata Banerjee regime is the man, waving a national flag on the iconic Howrah bridge, amidst blazing water cannon,” stated Malviya.
In response, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Riju Dutta shared a collage of images showing several protesters, including the elderly man, labeling them as “hooligans of BJP.” He accused the protesters of seeking to incite violence and chaos, similar to the unrest in Bangladesh. “They desired “Dead Bodies” and the establishment of anarchy in Bengal, akin to Bangladesh. They set fire to motorcycles, smashed barricades, threw stones at police, seriously injured several officers, and split IC Chanditala’s head open.We will not put up with this!” Dutta posted on X. He praised the West Bengal Police for maintaining composure despite being under attack and for restoring law and order.
The ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally, organized by members of the newly formed student group ‘Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj’ and other organizations, aimed to protest the violent crime against the 31-year-old trainee doctor. Despite the state police deeming the rally “illegal” and “unauthorized” due to concerns over possible violence and public disorder, the protesters marched on. Clashes broke out in various parts of Kolkata and Howrah as protesters attempted to break through police barricades to advance towards the West Bengal secretariat. In response, police used tear gas and lathi charges to disperse BJP leaders and supporters heading towards the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar.
Over 200 individuals were arrested during the rally. The BJP condemned the “brutal” police response against what they dubbed “peaceful” protestors during the “Nabanna Abhijan” rally and called for a 12-hour “Bangla bandh” on Wednesday.
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