On Monday, a candle light march was held in Kolkata led by Mamata Banerjee, who is the Chief Minister of West Bengal, protesting the alleged gang rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district.
Mamata Banerjee along with senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including MPs Dola Sen, Pratima Mondal and Derek O’Brien, walked from her residence at Kalighat through Harish Chatterjee Street with a lit candle in their hands. The march was also attended by some supporters of the party who were holding placards demanding justice for the victim and her family.
Meanwhile, top leader at the TMC guy Abhishek Banerjee strongly spoke up against the incident, calling it barbaric and said that the perpetrators be given the most stringent punishment. He alleges that he intended to go to the victim’s family but instead was frustrated in his attempts to leave his home sighted by police and central security officers. Abhishek has subsequently spoken to the family, on the phone, and explained that he would be there to support them.
He also claimed that the police had tried preventing the peaceful candlelight walk which was organised from Kalighat, which purpose was to block ‘democratic protest’.
Abhishek Banerjee attacked the BJP government, saying that crimes against women had been on the rise and it was imperative for immediate action and also for speedy trials and exemplary punishment for the accused.
The alleged Rape and murder has caused widespread outrage across the state of West Bengal and political leaders along with the people had demanded for the speedy justice.
TMC leaders stated that its campaign would continue till those responsible get punished and greater steps were taken to ensure a safe and dignifying life of women and children all over the state.