Editor's Pick | Bandh disrupts normal life as BJP, Trinamool hit the streets

Normal life was paralysed in different parts of West Bengal on Wednesday due to a 12-hour bandh (‘Nabanna Abhiyan’) called by the BJP in protest against alleged police excesses on protesters during the march to the State Secretariat on Tuesday, demanding justice for the doctor who was raped and murdered at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. BJP supporters sat on railway tracks at several places, affecting suburban train services, and party workers blocked major arterial routes disrupting vehicular movement. In retaliation, Trinamool supporters were out on the streets in Kolkata and other parts of the state and violence broke out when the two groups came face to face. State BJP president Sukanata Majumdar called the bandh a “success” and raised concerns about Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s recent statements ‘threatening unrest across states’. Ms. Banerjee had said in a party rally, “Modi babu (Prime Minister), you are trying to burn Bengal. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi will also burn.” Several BJP MLAs were detained by the Kolkata Police for trying to halt transport facilities and force-shut commercial establishments while bullets were fired at the vehicle of a BJP leader in Bhatpara, injuring two. Durgapur and Asansol too witnessed violence. Meanwhile, Ms. Banerjee announced that her government will table a Bill in the Assembly to give death penalty to those convicted of rape. The Chief Minister urged doctors to return to work, but the protesting doctors rejected her appeal. The rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital premises - the hospital’s seminar hall - has sparked nationwide outrage and since then several protests have been staged demanding justice for the victim. Kolkata Police had arrested a civic police volunteer in connection with the crime on August 10 and no one else. The case has now been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation on the order of Calcutta High Court. Protesting doctors have demanded protection for medical staff while the Indian Medical Association has demanded a Central law protecting doctors. Centre has ruled this out, issuing advisory to states to increase security at hospitals. The Hindu’s Editorials ​War and peace: On India and a Russia-Ukraine peace initiative Focus on trial: On central agencies and cases The Hindu’s Daily Quiz What is the name of the new pension scheme that the Centre launched in 24, 2024? New Pension Welfare Scheme Unified Pension Scheme Central Pension Scheme New Pension Scheme To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 29 August 2024 [The Hindu logo] [EP Logo] Editor's Pick 29 August 2024 In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [View in browser]( [More newsletters]( Bandh disrupts normal life as BJP, Trinamool hit the streets Normal life was paralysed in different parts of West Bengal on Wednesday due to a [12-hour bandh (‘Nabanna Abhiyan’)]( called by the BJP in protest against alleged police excesses on protesters during the march to the State Secretariat on Tuesday, demanding justice for the doctor who was raped and murdered at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. BJP supporters sat on railway tracks at several places, affecting suburban train services, and party workers blocked major arterial routes disrupting vehicular movement. In retaliation, Trinamool supporters were out on the streets in Kolkata and other parts of the state and violence broke out when the two groups came face to face. State BJP president Sukanata Majumdar called the bandh a “success” and raised concerns about [Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s recent statements]( ‘threatening unrest across states’. Ms. Banerjee had said in a party rally, “Modi babu (Prime Minister), you are trying to burn Bengal. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi will also burn.” Several BJP MLAs were detained by the Kolkata Police for trying to halt transport facilities and force-shut commercial establishments while bullets were fired at the vehicle of a BJP leader in Bhatpara, injuring two. Durgapur and Asansol too witnessed violence. Meanwhile, Ms. Banerjee announced that her government will table a Bill in the Assembly to give death penalty to those convicted of rape. The Chief Minister urged doctors to return to work, but the protesting doctors rejected her appeal. [The rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital premises]( - the hospital’s seminar hall - has sparked nationwide outrage and since then several protests have been staged demanding justice for the victim. Kolkata Police had arrested a civic police volunteer in connection with the crime on August 10 and no one else. The case has now been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation on the order of Calcutta High Court. Protesting doctors have demanded protection for medical staff while the Indian Medical Association has demanded a Central law protecting doctors. Centre has ruled this out, issuing advisory to states to increase security at hospitals. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][​War and peace: On India and a Russia-Ukraine peace initiative]( [Arrow][Focus on trial: On central agencies and cases]( The Hindu’s Daily Quiz What is the name of the new pension scheme that the Centre launched in 24, 2024? - New Pension Welfare Scheme - Unified Pension Scheme - Central Pension Scheme - New Pension Scheme To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here.]( Today’s Best Reads [[K. Kavitha’s bail: What is PMLA’s bail concession for women?] K. Kavitha’s bail: What is PMLA’s bail concession for women?]( [[U.P. Digital Media Policy: Plan to reward digital influencers draws flak] U.P. Digital Media Policy: Plan to reward digital influencers draws flak]( [[Bill for capital punishment for rapists to be passed in West Bengal Assembly, says Mamata Banerjee] Bill for capital punishment for rapists to be passed in West Bengal Assembly, says Mamata Banerjee]( [[‘Enough is enough’: President Murmu criticises ‘collective amnesia’ of Indian society towards crimes against women] ‘Enough is enough’: President Murmu criticises ‘collective amnesia’ of Indian society towards crimes against women]( Copyright© 2024, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( Manage your newsletter subscription preferences [here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](