Hundreds of BJP protesters clashed with the police today in front of the Bengal government secretariat “Nabanna”, breaking down all security measures for the coronavirus, including social distancing. Footage from the scene showed police trying to disperse them with tear gas and water cannons.
“The police are attacking our people … Stones are being thrown from the Khidirpur side. Can’t the police see that?” said BJP frontman Locket Chatterjee.
The BJP held the protest by disobeying the government’s ban orders forbidding large gatherings. The new head of the BJP youth wing, Tejasvi Surya, flew to the city to take part in the protest, which is seen as the party’s show of force in the state capital, Calcutta.
The secretariat, where the office of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also located, is closed today for disinfection, which, according to the BJP, is a sign of the Chief Minister’s “fear”.
When asked about the risk of holding a protest during a pandemic and the associated violation of the rules, BJP’s Bengal Officer Kailash Vijayvargiya said: “All workers wear masks. Are the rules just for us? Mamata Ji rallies with thousands and we’re getting lessons in social distancing. Don’t the same rules apply to her? “
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