A press conference organised by the “West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police Abashik Samiti” comrpising wives and family members of police personnel turned contentious on Tuesday, when they protested against what they called a trend of disrespect towards the force.
The event, held at the Press Club, was followed by a protest march to Gandhi Murti.
The press meet was held in response to recent incidents, particularly the “Nabanna Abhijan” protest rally, where the group alleged Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari used abusive language against police officers.
Salma Sultana, identified as the wife of a police officer, said, “During the Nabanna Abhijan, the opposition leader used bad language against the Commissioner of Police. This is unacceptable. An attempt was made to kill a police officer’s brother. The opposition leader has constantly attacked the police. We condemn this. Our family values are not respected. Our brothers and husbands are on duty on the streets. This is unacceptable.”
When a section of journalists pressed her for clarity, Sultana said, “I don’t know who is BJP and who is Trinamool. We are protesting against those targeting the police.”
Asked why a similar protest had not been held after an allegation that Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal had abused a police officer in the past, one spokesperson said, “ that not holding a protest then may have been a lapse on their behalf, but that should not stop them from speaking out now”
Sultana reiterated the group’s main demand: “We are here because it has become a trend to attack police, verbally abuse them, and say anything about them and their family. Police are there to protect us; they, and their families, deserve basic respect.”
The group also addressed other recent controversies. They rejected claims that police had harmed the parents of Abhaya, the trainee doctor whose murder shocked the city. On charges that a police officer desecrated the Tricolour, the organisers said they were unaware of such an incident,
“If such an incident occurred, those responsible should face punishment.”
(Parthivee Mukherji is an intern with Kolkata office of The Indian Express)