No end in sight to Kolkata protests, frayed TMC nerves widen rift at top

On August 28, at a rally to mark the foundation day of the TMC students’ wing, Mamata’s speech was seen as containing a threat to file FIRs against the protesters, by telling them that she did not want to resort to it as it would destroy their careers. “I never wanted revenge,” she said. “But now I say, you understand well what needs to be done… The ugly, slanderous one that bites you every day, you don’t bite him, but you can hiss.”

After she faced a backlash, Mamata tried to backtrack, claiming her “hiss” remark was not to be taken literally.

People during a protest in Kolkata on Wednesday night. (Express Photo: Partha Paul)

On September 2, Abhishek posted on X: “Public representatives across party lines need to be more HUMBLE and SYMPATHETIC. I urge everyone in @AITCofficial not to speak ill of anyone from the MEDICAL FRATERNITY or CIVIL SOCIETY. Everyone has the right to protest and express themselves – This is what sets Bengal apart from other BJP ruled states.”

Abhishek even drew a bulldozer parallel, saying: “We have wholeheartedly fought against bulldozer model and oppression tactics of politics. Now is the time for constructive actions to ensure such horrific incidents are not repeated. Bengal must stand united in this fight and not stop until the perpetrators are punished and an anti-rape time-bound law is enacted both by the states and Union government.”

However, by then, others taking their cue from the CM had also lashed out at the protests which, many TMC leaders believe, have now taken on a political colour. TMC Lok Sabha MP Arup Chakraborty said at a public meeting: “Awaken your conscience, save Bengal, stand with Mamata Banerjee. We are there in Parliament too. Trinamool Congress workers will have to hiss (strike like a snake). Friends, you hiss and they (the protesters) will flee like dogs.”

A day later, Atish Sarkar, the husband of a TMC councillor, said in a reference to protesters: “I will make distorted pictures of your mothers and sisters and hang them at the door of your house. You will not be able to come out of your houses.”

Hours later, Sarkar’s suspension was announced by TMC Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who highlighted that this was as per “the direction of Abhishek Banerjee”.

North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha also attacked the protesters, saying at a public meeting: “If they bite you once, bite them five times.”

While Guha got away, TMC MLA Lovely Maitra was “cautioned” by the party after she remarked: “Doctors have turned into butchers.”

In contrast, there are TMC leaders who have openly sided with the protesters, including Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, who was the first to break ranks and join the August 14 midnight demonstration over the rape-murder, dubbed ‘Reclaim the Night’.

On September 1, sharing a painting on X, Ray made a comparison whose significance was not lost. “July 1789, Bastille Fort razed to ground by agitating people, giving birth to French Revolution,” he posted.

On Tuesday, after the arrest of former R G Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh by the CBI over corruption allegations, Ray shared a photo from the cricket field and wrote: “Middle stump uprooted. What next…”

With Ghosh appointed as principal of another institute soon after he was removed from R G Kar following the rape-murder, there have been allegations that he has the support of members within the Mamata administration.

Ray also posted in support of the second ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest, held on Wednesday.

Another TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen has been vocal in both criticising Ghosh and supporting the protesters. Having earlier accused Ghosh and his associates of wrongdoing, he posted on X: “Loyal soldier always gives actual information to his leader, opposes those who misguide leader for their vested interest… Now leader to judge.” He tagged Mamata and Abhishek in his post.

Earlier, Sen replied with “Jai Captain” to the post by Abhishek asking party leaders to be humble and not speak ill of the doctors.

Protesters light candles outside R G Kar Medical College and Hospital seeking justice for the junior doctor who was raped and murdered. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

A senior TMC leader admitted the differences among the top brass, saying Abhishek was “not happy with the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and how he handled the whole investigation”. “Abhishek also expressed his unhappiness when Mamata Banerjee decided to appoint IAS officer Bibek Kumar as Chief Secretary. Later she changed her mind and picked Manoj Pant, who had been transferred to the Irrigation Department just a day earlier.”

A senior Lok Sabha MP of the party regretted that “despite Didi clarifying her statement” regarding the protesters, “leaders and workers at the grassroot level went on with their war cries (against the protesters)”. “On behalf of Abhishek Banerjee, who is the all-India general secretary, suspension notice to one and warnings to others were sent. Now we have to see whether these work.”

TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar said to see the statements as indicating differences within the party was a mistake. “What the Chief Minister said and what Abhishek Banerjee did are completely different. She said to ‘hiss’ at the CPI(M) and BJP. Abhishek and our party leadership said not to say anything objectionable against people, civil society, junior doctors. So, there is no contradiction.”