Kalyan Banerjee slams 'Raat Jago Andolon,' accuses media of exaggerating protest and sensationalizing issues in RG Kar case

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, on Thursday, sharply criticized the 'Raat Jago Andolon' (Night Vigil Movement), a protest that has been active in West Bengal following the RG Kar incident. The movement was initiated to raise awareness about social issues, particularly concerning women's safety and justice. Banerjee, speaking at a press conference at the Kolkata Press Club, accused the media of exaggerating the movement’s significance, stating that its coverage was overly sensationalized for publicity. He expressed frustration over how the media had portrayed the protest, suggesting that it had been blown out of proportion and misrepresented the true purpose of the initiative.

Banerjee also referred to the participation of an actress in the movement, alleging that she had approached him with complaints about the protest. He raised concerns about the involvement of certain individuals, particularly men in the movement, accusing one male participant of undermining women's rights during the protest. While Banerjee did not name the individuals involved, his remarks suggested that the protest had become a platform for personal agendas, detracting from its original message of advocating for justice and social change.

Further intensifying the controversy, Banerjee referenced an incident in Naihati, where, according to him, two participants of the Night Vigil became romantically involved during the protest. He claimed that after their relationship began, the male participant allegedly abducted the female participant and raped her. Although Banerjee did not provide specific details or official reports on the incident, his comments added to the criticism of the movement and its participants. His remarks seemed to question the integrity of the protest and suggest that personal issues had taken precedence over the protest's social objectives.

Banerjee also directed his criticism towards journalists covering the movement, accusing them of failing to effectively portray the protest. He claimed that the media’s strategies in reporting the movement had failed, and suggested that the alliances formed by journalists with certain groups and individuals were misguided. According to Banerjee, these alliances had led to the movement’s downfall in public perception. The MP’s comments furthered his previous criticisms of the media’s role in reporting protests, particularly during the 'Justice for RG Kar' movement, where he had also targeted activists and public figures.