New Delhi [India], July 20 : Rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Monday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of political hypocrisy regarding the police crackdown on student protestors in the national capital.
"When the issue of teacher appointments arose in Bengal, lathi-charges were carried out against teachers, even those holding small children in their arms, under her government one or two years ago. Did this question not arise in her mind at that time?" Dastidar told ANI.
Dastidar's remarks came in response to a social media post by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, who had condemned the Delhi Police's actions against youth marching to Parliament. Dismissing Banerjee's outrage as selective empathy, Dastidar pointed to the previous TMC administration's heavy-handed response to teacher recruitment protestors in Kolkata.
In a post on X, she asserted that the nation belongs to its students, farmers, women, workers, and every citizen, declaring that dissent is not a crime in the country.
"I strongly condemn the police brutality unleashed on our youth and students in Delhi today. What kind of government fears its own students? What kind of democracy responds to questions with batons and tear gas instead of dialogue? The Nation belongs to its students, its farmers, its women, its workers and to every citizen. Dissent is not a crime. Brutality is not governance. I stand firmly with my young brothers and sisters. Accountability is non-negotiable. Salute to each one of them for their courage, resilience and indomitable spirit. They have shown the nation what fearlessness is," said Banerjee.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police resorted to using a mild lathi charge to disperse hundreds of protesters attempting to march toward the Parliament House. The demonstration, which began at Jantar Mantar, led to significant traffic disruptions in the national capital as security personnel were deployed in large numbers to contain the surging crowd.
Several personnel from the Rapid Action Force are stationed nearby to address both the CJP protest march and the upcoming session.
In a statement, Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), corresponding to the erstwhile Section 144 of the CrPC, remain in force in the New Delhi district.
According to the advisory, protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons are prohibited, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar with prior permission.Police said that with the Monsoon Session of Parliament commencing on July 20, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure public safety, the security of protectees and the protection of vital government installations.
Delhi Police further warned that any person found violating the prohibitory orders would be liable for prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable provisions of law.
Later, Delhi Police appealed to all protestors to maintain peace, exercise restraint and cooperate with the police in ensuring peace and public order.
"All participants are requested to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner, refrain from indulging in any unlawful or violent activities and comply with the lawful directions issued by police officers/personnel deployed on duty," Delhi Police said in a post on X.
The police also advised people not to believe or circulate rumours, misinformation or unverified content through any platform.
"Citizens are requested to rely only on authentic sources of information and extend their cooperation to Delhi Police in maintaining peace, harmony and public order," the post added.