Chhatra Samaj, the student group behind the ‘nabanna abhijan’ rally in Kolkata: Explained

PTC News Desk: On Tuesday, a new student organisation called ‘Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj’ is spearheading the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally in Kolkata, calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The protest is in response to the alleged rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Despite being an unregistered group, Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj is leading the rally in collaboration with members of ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha,’ a collective representing state government employees who are demanding their Dearness Allowance (DA) be brought in line with that of Central government employees.

The ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally is proceeding even though the state police have declared it “illegal” and “unauthorized,” citing potential risks of violence and threats to public order.

Who Are Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj?

‘Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj’ is an unregistered student group that positions itself as an apolitical entity. According to Sayan Lahiri, a spokesperson for the group, the rally is organised by a platform with no political affiliations, including those with the BJP, RSS, or ABVP.

The student group has articulated three main demands: justice for the victim, capital punishment for the accused, and the resignation of Mamata Banerjee as Chief Minister.

“We aim to raise our demands peacefully,” Lahiri told the media. “If we are stopped, we will attempt to approach the secretariat gate in a non-violent manner to demand the Chief Minister’s resignation, as her administration has failed to prevent incidents like the RG Kar case, which has shocked the nation.”

The rally has been organised by Prabir Das, a Master’s student from Rabindra Bharati University, Subhankar Halder from Kalyani University, and Sayan Lahiri from Rabindra Mukta University.

Heavy Police Deployment in Kolkata

In anticipation of the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally, Kolkata Police have deployed over 6,000 personnel across the city. Authorities have also issued a traffic advisory and implemented diversions on several key routes connecting the city to surrounding areas.

According to the advisory, vehicles coming from Kolaghat on NH 16 intending to use the 2nd Hooghly Bridge should instead use Nibedita Setu from Nibra to reach Kolkata. Similarly, vehicles coming from Dankuni intending to use the 2nd Hooghly Bridge should also use Nibedita Setu.

For Howrah-bound vehicles coming from Kolkata intending to use the 2nd Hooghly Bridge or Howrah Bridge, the route via Nibedita Setu is recommended. Meanwhile, vehicles from Howrah Railway Station intending to use Howrah Bridge or the 2nd Hooghly Bridge should proceed towards Kolkata via GT Road and Nibedita Setu.

Additionally, the police have restricted vehicular movement on several routes, including Kona Expressway between Nibra and the 2nd Hooghly Bridge, Andul Road between Alampur and Lakshmi Narayantala More, GT Road between Mallick Fatak and Betaitala, areas between Mandirtala and the 2nd Hooghly Bridge, between Kazipara and the 2nd Hooghly Bridge, Foreshore Road from Kazipara to Ramkrishnapur Crossing, Howrah Railway Station to Grand Foreshore Road, H.M Bose Road, RB Setu, HIT Bridge to Howrah Bridge Kolkata side, HIT Bridge to RB Setu, and M.B Road to N.S Road via Mallick Fatak.

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