BJP Mahila Morcha Leaders Protest at State Women's Commission Office Over Inaction on Women's Safety

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, 30 August 2024, Kolkata: BJP Mahila Morcha leaders Locket Chatterjee and Agnimitra Pal staged a protest at the State Women's Commission office in Kolkata on Friday, expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the commission. In a symbolic move, the protesters hung a large lock on the gate of the State Women's Commission, intended to signify that the commission had "shut its doors" on addressing issues related to women's safety and rights in West Bengal.

The protest began with a gathering of BJP Mahila Morcha members outside the office, where they raised slogans against the State Women's Commission, accusing it of being ineffective and biased. Chatterjee and Pal, both prominent leaders and vocal critics of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led the charge, accusing the commission of turning a blind eye to the increasing cases of violence against women in the state.

Initially, the protesters were not allowed to enter the premises by the police, leading to a standoff at the gate. Tensions escalated as the members of the Mahila Morcha attempted to push through the barricades set up by the police to prevent their entry. After a heated exchange and a brief scuffle between the police and the BJP women’s wing members, the situation intensified. The police, who were deployed in large numbers to control the protest, tried to disperse the crowd. However, as the confrontation continued, five delegates from the BJP Mahila Morcha, including Chatterjee and Pal, were eventually granted permission to enter the premises and meet with representatives of the commission.

Inside the office, the delegates handed over a memorandum demanding that the Women's Commission take stronger actions to address crimes against women, including recent high-profile cases that have sparked outrage in the state. They argued that the commission has become "ineffective" under the influence of the TMC government and is failing in its duty to protect women and ensure justice.

The protest and subsequent scuffle between the police and BJP workers have drawn significant attention in the media, sparking new debates in the state political arena. BJP leaders have used the incident to criticize the state government for what they describe as a lack of law and order and failure to ensure women's safety. On the other hand, TMC leaders accused the BJP of creating unnecessary drama for political mileage and disrupting public order.

The incident has further intensified the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal, where the BJP and TMC frequently clash over issues related to governance, law and order, and the treatment of women. As the incident continues to be widely discussed, it has brought renewed focus to the operations and effectiveness of the State Women’s Commission, putting pressure on both the commission and the ruling party to respond to the concerns raised by the opposition.