Parents of RG Kar Victim Hurt During Protest in Kolkata
KOLKATA — The parents of the RG Kar campus crime victim were injured during the Nabanna march in Kolkata on Saturday. The rally marked the first anniversary of the brutal campus incident that shocked West Bengal and the Nation. The parents, who had joined the protest seeking justice, were caught in a clash between police and demonstrators.
The confrontation occurred around 2 p.m. on JL Nehru Road, near the Indian Museum. Protesters were marching towards Park Street, bypassing Rani Rashmoni Avenue — the designated protest site. Police intervened, leading to pushing, shoving, and a mild lathi charge. In the melee, the victim’s mother stumbled and sustained a head injury. Her traditional conch-shell bangle was also broken.
Mother Alleges Assault by Police
Speaking to reporters, the mother questioned why she was stopped from reaching the state secretariat.
“Why are they stopping us? We only want justice for my daughter,” she said, alleging both male and female police officers assaulted her and her husband.
The couple, along with other protesters, later sat in front of a barricade near the racecourse. Soon after, the mother complained of feeling unwell and was taken to hospital.
According to the hospital report, she arrived at 3:35 p.m. with a forehead bruise but was conscious and stable. Doctors advised conservative home treatment.
Police Say CCTV Footage Under Review
Kolkata Police officials said they were unaware of any direct injury to the parents but promised to investigate. Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Meeraj Khalid stated that video footage had shown no incriminating evidence against personnel so far.
“We are analysing each frame and will contact the hospital. If any police officer is found guilty, action will be taken. The same will apply if we find someone else is responsible,” Khalid said.
TV footage showed a crowd forming around the parents, with recent BJP entrant Kaustav Bagchi escorting them while asking media crews to move aside.
Political Blame Game Erupts
The incident quickly escalated into a political flashpoint. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh accused BJP leaders of using the parents for political gain. He claimed Bagchi was seen pushing the mother to get in front of TV cameras.
“This is exactly what I warned about — an ugly drama politicising the parents’ pain,” Ghosh said. He expressed sympathy for the parents but criticised what he called BJP’s “exploitation of emotions.”
The Nabanna march was called by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on July 2. The victim’s parents met him days later and agreed to participate. Adhikari visited the hospital after the incident.
Doctors and Protest Organisers Respond
West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum member Debashis Halder criticised the lack of safety for the parents during the protest.
“If they were in our protest, we would have ensured their protection. We didn’t see any political leader getting hurt — only the parents,” Halder said.
The police continue to review footage and statements to determine what led to the mother’s injury.