Mamata, top TMC leaders stand guard overnight after 21 July stage vandalized

Political drama escalated in Kolkata ahead of the Trinamool Congress's July 21 Martyr's Day observance, following allegations of stage vandalism at the Birla Planetarium venue. While Ritabrata TMC organized a martyr tarpan at Mayo Road, the Kalighat TMC was granted permission for a rally in front of Birla Planetarium. However, hours before the event, the main stage of the Kalighat TMC was allegedly vandalized, prompting former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to accuse BJP supporters of launching a planned attack.

Mamata Banerjee visited the venue late Monday night at around 11:30 PM to inspect the site and shared a video on social media terming the incident a "barbaric attack." She alleged that 60 to 65 BJP workers, led by a court-released criminal, arrived on motorcycles, cut power lines, broke chairs, and tore down banners and posters. Furthermore, she claimed that police were actively preventing TMC workers and supporters from reaching the venue, accusing the opposition of attempting to sabotage democratic rights.

To prevent further destruction, Mamata Banerjee, along with senior leaders Abhishek Banerjee, Mahua Moitra, Kalyan Banerjee, and Derek O'Brien, stayed at the Birla Planetarium premises throughout the night to guard the stage in turns. MP Kalyan Banerjee and Kunal Ghosh stated that law enforcement had been informed with specific details about the perpetrators. On Tuesday morning, Mamata Banerjee held an internal meeting with party leaders at the site before returning home as supporters began arriving for the event.