Police obstructs BJP's 'Bengal Day' rally led by Sukanta Majumdar

Fresh visuals of scuffles emerged from Kolkata on Friday afternoon as a program organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to celebrate 'West Bengal Day' was allegedly obstructed by police. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar was reportedly stopped as he attempted to push through a crowd, with images showing women police personnel blocking his motorcycle.

The central government had issued instructions to observe June 20 as 'West Bengal Day' across the country. However, the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has vociferously opposed this directive. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has unequivocally stated that 'West Bengal Day' will not be celebrated on June 20, insisting that only Poila Boishakh (the first day of the Bengali calendar) should be observed as the state's foundation day.

Earlier on Friday morning, to commence their 'West Bengal Day' celebrations, BJP leaders and workers garlanded the statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a key figure in the partition of Bengal. The BJP's planned procession was intended to proceed from Mookerjee's house to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's residence. As BJP workers attempted to move forward on bikes, they were intercepted by police, leading to the confrontation.

Following the initial standoff, Member of Parliament and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar attempted to proceed alone on a bike, with his security detail following behind. However, even his solo effort was met with resistance from the police, underscoring the tight security and the determination of law enforcement to prevent the procession from continuing. The visual of women police officers actively blocking his bike quickly circulated, drawing attention to the escalating tensions.