1 hr ago
Clash Disrupts SFI Meeting Demanding Election Chief’s Removal
A student group called SFI held a meeting in Birati on Friday evening.
The meeting asked for the country’s chief election official, Gyanesh Kumar, to be removed.
A fight broke out, and chairs, the stage, and the banner were damaged.
The meeting had to stop.
CPM and SFI representatives said people backed by the BJP attacked them.
BJP representatives said their supporters were not involved and blamed what was said at the meeting.
Police said two people were detained.
The reports gave different accounts of how many people were injured.
SFI’s ‘Save Democracy’ meeting at Banik More in Birati was disrupted by a clash on Friday evening.
The meeting called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal; organizers also cited other political demands.
The stage and banner were damaged, and chairs were thrown; the meeting was called off.
CPM/SFI representatives accused BJP-backed attackers, while BJP representatives denied involvement and blamed the meeting’s conduct.
Police said two people were detained; reports differed on the number of injured, with a BJP leader saying six BJP workers were hurt.
- Who
- Supporters of the CPM-backed SFI and the BJP’s youth wing, BJYM, were involved in the clash; police detained two people.
- What
- A clash disrupted an SFI meeting calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
- Where
- Banik More in Birati, North 24 Parganas district, on the outskirts of Kolkata.
- When
- Friday evening; the meeting began around 6 pm.
- Why
- The meeting was part of protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s removal; the sides disputed who caused the clash.
CPM/SFI account
BJP account
Who caused the clash
CPM/SFI account
CPM/SFI representatives alleged that BJP-backed attackers vandalised the venue and assaulted SFI members.
BJP account
BJP representatives denied their supporters were involved; one BJP leader blamed the meeting’s alleged abuse and slogans for angering local people.
Police response
CPM/SFI account
Dipsita Dhar alleged police stood by during the vandalism and asked the CPM to halt its programme.
BJP account
The articles provide no direct BJP response to this allegation.
Key facts
- Meeting
- SFI’s ‘Save Democracy’ meeting
- Location
- Banik More, Birati
- Start time
- Around 6 pm on Friday
- Main demand
- Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Police action
- Two people detained
- Reported damage
- The stage and banner were damaged, and chairs were smashed or thrown
- Injuries
- Several injuries were reported; a BJP leader said six BJP workers were injured
Quotes
BJP local functionary
Local BJP functionary
“Some BJP-backed miscreants arrived at the meeting and started vandalising the venue. They even climbed onto the stage and damaged it.”
wionews.com
“The stage erected for the purpose was vandalised, and our party workers were attacked by BJP supporters.”
telegraphindia.com
Injured worker
Worker injured at the meeting
“I saw chairs flying towards us. One hit me on the head.”
wionews.com
Sources
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