Congress, CPI(M) takes out rallies in Kolkata in protest against Amit Shah's visit

The Congress and the CPI(M) took out rallies in different parts of Kolkata in protest against the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday.

As the Home Minister arrived in the city, hundreds of Congress and left demonstrators, holding black flags and anti-CAA protesters, demonstrated outside the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport and raised ‘go back’ slogans.

Later in the day, a minor scuffle erupted between police and protesters in Esplanade area when protesters tried to break the barricade and enter Shahid Minar Ground where Amit Shah is slated to hold a rally, a police officer stated.

"Though nobody was arrested in the incident, police will act strictly if the situation goes out of control," he said.

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty led a massive rally in Santoshpur in south Kolkata while Congress activists took out rally from Beckbahan to Park Circus and burnt a dummy of the home minister.

CPI(M) associated SFI and DYFI also took out rallies in different parts of the city.

"Kolkata had shouted 'go back' slogans during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city in January. We will not allow Shah to hold a rally here. He (Shah) is not welcome here. Hands of both these leaders are soaked in the blood of people killed in Gujarat riots. The Union home minister is equally responsible for the violence in Delhi," Chakraborty said.

The CPI(M) leader criticised the West Bengal government for allowing Amit Shah’s rally.

"The understanding between the Modi and the Mamata governments is the reason why permission was granted to hold a rally even when class 12 board examinations are around and blaring of loudspeakers is prohibited. This is a courtesy of the state government to Shah," Chakraborty said.

At the Home Minister’s rally, state BJP leaders will felicitate him for the passage of the amended citizenship law. BJP national president JP Nadda will also be present at the meeting.

"We have taken all forms of precautionary measures to counter any untoward incident during the Union home minister's visit to the city. Additional personnel have been deployed at all crucial points," a senior officer of Kolkata Police said.

Amit Shah also inaugurated a new building of National Security Guards at Rajarhat and will convene closed door meeting with the state BJP leadership along with JP Nadda,

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