BJP’s Howrah Bridge blockade sparks traffic chaos; protestors scuffled with police

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a dramatic protest on Tuesday afternoon, demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and severe punishment for those responsible for the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital. The protest culminated in an attempted blockade of the iconic Howrah Bridge, leading to significant traffic disruption and clashes with the police.

The BJP organized the protest march from Howrah, with party members gathering in front of Saket Hotel before attempting to move towards Howrah Bridge. However, the police, anticipating the disruption, had set up barricades along the route, preventing the march from proceeding. The police action led to a standoff, with BJP supporters, particularly women workers, expressing their anger at being stopped.

Despite the police's efforts, the protest caused massive traffic jams, particularly during the evening rush hour. Commuters heading home found themselves stuck on key routes such as MG Road and Strand Road, with the congestion spilling over into the surrounding areas. The situation became more tense as the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed to manage the crowd, and several protestors were taken into custody.

The BJP had announced its intention to demonstrate on Howrah Bridge as part of its protest against the handling of the RG Kar Medical College incident. The party has been vocal in its criticism of the state government, accusing it of failing to protect women and demanding accountability at the highest levels of the administration.