Congress stages 'Lalbazaar Satyagraha' in Kolkata, demands probe into attacks on workers

Hundreds of Congress workers and leaders marched from College Street to Lalbazaar, the Kolkata Police headquarters, on Wednesday in a protest called “Lalbazaar Satyagraha.” The demonstration aimed to highlight alleged atrocities against party workers, eviction of hawkers, and police action against students.

The march was led by West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar and senior leaders including Prakash Joshi. The protesters said several party workers were attacked while heading to the July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata, and demanded strict action against the perpetrators of the violence.

Addressing reporters during the march, Mr. Sarkar said his party would not scuffle with the police but would begin sit-in demonstrations at any point where the police stopped their march. He alleged that the police were failing in their duties and that “Bharatiya Janata Party workers have taken your batons and are ruling over people.” He also said that despite a change in government in West Bengal, the functioning of the police has remained unchanged, adding that every government uses the police to serve its own political agenda.

Senior Congress leader Suman Roy Chaudhuri said that many Congress workers were attacked on July 21 and were admitted to hospital, but no impartial inquiry had been conducted so far. He referred to Mr. Suvendu Adhikari as the “police minister” while demanding an investigation. It is pertinent to note that Mr. Adhikari is the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, not a minister in the West Bengal government. Mr. Chaudhuri’s remark appeared to be a slip of the tongue, but the demand for an impartial inquiry remained central to the protest.

The march was halted near the Bentinck Street crossing in central Kolkata, where police had set up barricades. In a symbolic gesture, Congress workers offered flowers and chocolates to the police personnel stationed there.

Responding to the protest, BJP leader Sharadwat Mukherjee said that the Congress has become “irrelevant” and is attempting new methods to stay relevant. He dismissed the march as a publicity stunt.

The July 21 rally is an annual event held by the Congress to commemorate the deaths of 13 people in police firing during a rally in Kolkata in 1993. This year’s rally, held on July 21, 2026, was marked by clashes between some participants and the police, leading to injuries on both sides. The Congress has repeatedly demanded an independent inquiry into the incidents.

Wednesday’s protest was peaceful and concluded without any major incident. The Congress leadership said it would continue its agitation until the state government responds to their demands.