Kolkata was engulfed in violence and chaos after a protest rally on Tuesday took a turbulent turn in the state capital. In response, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumder called for a 12-hour bandh across the state on Wednesday. The Bandh began at 6 am today. After BJP’s appeal to organisations to keep markets closed, the West Bengal government asserted that life will go on as usual and that there won’t be much hassle.
Bengal Bandh: Check What’s open and what’s closed today
Despite the call for West Bengal Bandh, government offices, banks, schools, colleges, and petrol pumps will most likely remain open, although traffic disruptions may affect the operations. Furthermore, public transport including buses and rail services are expected to ply normally. Essential services like medical facilities, drinking water, and electricity will continue as usual.
The BJP has allegedly urged businesses to shut their markets in response to the Bandh. Nevertheless, the West Bengal government has stated that normal operations will be upheld and no official closures will occur despite the opposition’s strike call.
What led to Bengal Bandh?
The unrest began on Tuesday with a protest march organized by the ‘Paschim Banga Chatra Samaj’ and other groups, aimed at condemning the recent rape and murder of a female trainee doctor in Kolkata. The rally – Nabanna Abhiyan – commenced from College Square and proceeded towards the West Bengal Secretariat, Nabanna, with heightened security in place.
As protesters gathered in Santragachi, Howrah, tensions escalated. Police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators who had climbed over and damaged barricades. The situation intensified as protesters pulled down barriers, prompting the police to respond with lathi charges and tear gas to restore order.