kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Karunamayee, Salt Lake – June 3, 2025: Political tension flared up in Karunamayee on Tuesday afternoon as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers gathered in large numbers to protest against the alleged inaction over the legal proceedings involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal. The protest, which began peacefully with chants and slogans demanding his immediate arrest, soon turned volatile as clashes broke out between agitated BJP supporters and police personnel, causing panic among commuters and local residents.

The BJP had earlier called for a demonstration outside Karunamayee, located near key administrative offices in Salt Lake, to press for the swift arrest and legal action against Anubrata Mondal. Mondal, who is a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been embroiled in various allegations related to cattle smuggling and money laundering, and is currently under investigation by central agencies 

According to eyewitnesses, what began as a peaceful march quickly turned disorderly when a group of BJP supporters attempted to break through police barricades in front of the administrative building. The police, in response, used mild force to push the crowd back, which further agitated the demonstrators. In the ensuing scuffle, several BJP workers began hurling slogans directly at the police and at the ruling TMC leadership, accusing them of shielding Mondal from justice.

“Enough is enough. Anubrata Mondal has been evading accountability with the protection of the state government. We demand his arrest immediately,” shouted a BJP youth leader, moments before the clash escalated. Protesters were seen waving BJP flags, holding posters with slogans like “Jail for Anubrata” and “End TMC’s corruption.”

The police were forced to detain nearly 30 protestors to bring the situation under control. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) was also deployed to prevent any further escalation. Traffic in the Karunamayee area came to a standstill for nearly an hour, with several commuters stuck in buses and private vehicles 

The BJP’s leadership in Bengal has intensified its attack on the Mamata Banerjee government in recent weeks, especially over the issue of alleged corruption involving key party leaders. Tuesday’s protest was a continuation of their campaign to highlight what they describe as the “nexus of crime and politics” within the ruling Trinamool.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, reacting to the incident, said, “We will not sit quietly while the state government protects tainted leaders. Today’s protest was a message. The people of Bengal want justice. Anubrata Mondal cannot be above the law.”

He also alleged that the police were acting as agents of the ruling party. “When common people protest, they are lathi-charged. But those involved in scams are walking free under state protection,” he added 

The Trinamool Congress, however, dismissed the protest as “a desperate political stunt.” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “The BJP has lost ground in Bengal and is now trying to create unrest to remain relevant. The investigation into Anubrata Mondal is being carried out by central agencies, and the law will take its own course.”

Ghosh also criticized the BJP for blocking public roads and inconveniencing daily commuters in Salt Lake, an area known for housing key government departments 

Following the incident, security has been tightened across Salt Lake, especially near government offices. Police officials have said they will take legal action against those responsible for disrupting peace and public order. Meanwhile, BJP has vowed to continue their protest movement until “justice is served.”

The events in Karunamayee mark yet another flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between the BJP and TMC in West Bengal, with law and order once again caught in the crossfire of the state’s charged political atmosphere.