Kolkata witnessed a massive rally on Sunday, February 12th, 2023, where the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) participated in a protest march from Moulali to Dharmatalla demanding the immediate release of Naushad Siddiqui. The rally was mainly organized by the CPI(M), and veteran leaders of the party, including senior CPM leader Biman Bose, CPI(M) secretary Mohammad Salim, Shamik Lahiri, and Robin Dev, joined in the march.
Thousands of workers held the Sealdah area as part of the protest demanding the immediate release of Siddiqui, who has been kept in police custody for the last two weeks without any reason, according to Biman Bose. He also alleged that Siddiqui was being tortured while in police custody.
Bose warned that the movement would become more extensive if the government failed to release Siddiqui as soon as possible. He challenged the Trinamool government to prepare for a significant protest movement if Siddiqui was not released soon. "We are not the ones to keep quiet. The Trinamool government should not understand that the CPI(M) is weak," he said.
The protestors carried banners and placards reading "Release Naushad Siddiqui" and chanted slogans demanding his release. The rally was peaceful, and the police provided adequate security to ensure that there was no violence.
The arrest of Naushad Siddiqui has raised concerns among the opposition parties, and the CPI(M) has accused the ruling Trinamool government of using strong-arm tactics to suppress dissent. The CPI(M) has demanded that the government release Siddiqui immediately and conduct an inquiry into the matter.