Police stop OBC Mancha's Vidhansabha rally, clash breaks out at College Street

A rally organized by the OBC Adhikar Mancha in Kolkata was abruptly stopped by police, leading to a tense standoff and a clash between protesters and law enforcement officials. The rally, which was billed as a "Vidhan Sabha Abhijan," was intended to march toward the legislative assembly to protest against the alleged deprivation of Hindu OBCs. However, authorities cited a lack of official permission for the protest as the reason for halting the march, a move that ignited a heated confrontation on the streets of the city.

The protest was scheduled to commence at 12 PM from College Square, with a clear objective of highlighting the community's grievances. The OBC Adhikar Mancha had garnered support from various quarters, including prominent political figures. The presence of BJP leaders, such as Purulia MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, at the forefront of the demonstration added a significant political dimension to the event, despite Mahato's denial that the BJP was behind the campaign.

As the protesters attempted to move forward, they were met by a strong police contingent that had set up barricades to block their path. The refusal of the police to allow the march to proceed, due to the absence of the necessary permit, led to a clash. In the ensuing chaos, BJP leaders, including Mahato, resorted to a sit-in protest on the street, a common tactic to resist police action and draw public attention to their cause.

The police, while using restraint, were eventually able to bring the situation under control. They managed to disperse the crowd, preventing the protest from escalating further and marching toward the assembly building. The incident highlights the delicate balance between the right to protest and the need for maintaining law and order, a frequent point of contention in political demonstrations.