BJP MLAs stay seated inside Assembly after adjournment over 'condolence' message for RG Kar victim

In an unprecedented move during a special session called amidst state-wide protests over the RG Kar incident, BJP MLAs held a candlelight vigil inside the West Bengal Assembly on Monday. The session convened for two days, witnessed a poignant moment when BJP legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, remembered the victims of the RG Kar.

During the session, a condolence message was read for the late former Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya. Suvendu Adhikari requested the Speaker, Biman Banerjee, to also read a condolence proposal for the RG Kar victims. However, the Speaker objected, citing legal constraints on naming victims. Adhikari suggested referring to the victims indirectly, such as "August 9" or "Doctor Didi," but the Speaker did not respond, leading to the session's adjournment until Tuesday.

After the adjournment, while the ruling party MLAs exited, BJP members stayed inside. In a historic act, Adhikari read the condolence proposal for the RG Kar victims without mentioning names. The BJP MLAs then conducted a silent candlelight procession around the Assembly's inner lobby, emphasizing their commitment to seeking justice for the victims.

Suvendu Adhikari later stated, "We asked to read the condolence message following the law. After the session, we read it ourselves and held a silent procession with lights in our hands."