Mamata Banerjee Leads Violent Protest Against Crimes Against Women

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march in Kolkata on July 8, 2026, to denounce the rape and murder of a young girl in Baruipur. Despite permission from the Calcutta High Court, the rally ended in violent clashes between All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) youth wing members and supporters of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Banerjee accused the BJP-led government and local police of acting as "mute spectators" while party workers were assaulted by BJP human barricades. The TMC reported that 41 workers were brutally injured and some women were molested, requiring transport to SSKM Hospital without police assistance. Additionally, Banerjee criticized the administration's handling of Ram Mandir donations and described the collapse of law and order as worse than in Uttar Pradesh.

In response, BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya dismissed the allegations, claiming the TMC had betrayed public faith. Minister Bishal Lama defended Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's administration, asserting a zero-tolerance policy toward crimes against women. Simultaneously, BJP MP Raju Bista highlighted a viral video allegedly showing Banerjee slapping one of her own party workers during the crowd management process.

Amid the external conflict, Banerjee also targeted an internal rival faction led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, who is currently contesting leadership of the TMC following the party's defeat in the 2026 assembly elections.