Supratim Sarkar, the Additional Director General of Police for South Bengal, addressed rumors on social media, stating that the Supreme Court has not imposed any restrictions on the police regarding the enforcement of laws during protests over the R.G. Kar issue. He emphasized that the police retain their authority to manage and respond to such situations.
Kolkata: Supratim Sarkar, the additional director general of police for South Bengal, addressed misconceptions circulating on social media regarding police restrictions in handling protests related to the R.G. Kar incident.
Sarkar stated,
“The Supreme Court has observed that any peaceful protest on the issue cannot be stopped forcefully. However, the top court has also clarified that the state administration is not restricted from enforcing legal provisions.”
This statement comes ahead of the students’ ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest scheduled for Tuesday in response to the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
He stated that Section 163 of the recently enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), previously known as Section 144 under the earlier Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC), is enforced around the state secretariat, Nabanna, as it is designated as a VVIP zone.
This section prohibits the gathering of more than five individuals at any given time.
Mr. Sarkar explained,
“According to this legal provision, gatherings and protests at the state secretariat are not permitted,”
He further clarified that the planned protest march on Tuesday is “entirely illegal” because it did not receive the necessary police authorization, as required by protocol.
Mr. Sarkar added,
“The organizers announced the protest via social media and a media interaction, without following the proper procedures. The state police and the Howrah Police Commissionerate reached out to them, requesting details of their protest plans to ensure proper police arrangements for a peaceful demonstration. However, there was no response from them,”
In the meantime, the joint forum of state government employees, who have long been protesting for an increase in dearness allowance (DA) to match that of Union government employees and the payment of related arrears, has declared their support for the protest march scheduled for Tuesday. This backing has added a new dimension to the planned event.
Last week, the West Bengal government petitioned the Calcutta High Court to impose a ban on the rally. However, on August 23, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court dismissed the state’s request.
Furthermore, on August 21, the Supreme Court remarked that while the law must be upheld, peaceful protests cannot be forcibly prevented.