Sukanta Majumdar backs Suvendu Adhikari's crackdown on Kolkata Left march violence
Synopsis
A Left Front NEET-protest march in Kolkata turned violent at Dorina Crossing on Friday, with journalists assaulted and police forced to cane-charge the crowd. By Saturday, both the BJP's Sukanta Majumdar and CM Suvendu Adhikari had vowed zero concessions — invoking the Anti-Goon Act — while even the Opposition's Ritabrata Banerjee visited injured journalists and demanded swift punishment.
Key Takeaways
Sukanta Majumdar on 25 July backed CM Suvendu Adhikari 's assembly warning that no one involved in Kolkata march violence would be spared.
Violence erupted at Dorina Crossing, Esplanade during a Left Front student protest against the NEET-UG paper leak; police resorted to a cane charge.
Journalists and camera operators from multiple outlets were injured; a woman journalist reportedly faced harassment and obscene gestures.
Adhikari invoked the Anti-Goon Act , warning consequences would be remembered by 'future generations.' Opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee visited injured journalists at SSKM Hospital and demanded speedy punishment.
Police have registered multiple cases and are identifying accused persons through CCTV footage.
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday, 25 July backed West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's warning in the state assembly that no one who created unrest during the Left Front's protest march in Kolkata would be spared. The remarks came a day after violence erupted at Dorina Crossing in the Esplanade area, leaving several journalists injured and prompting police to resort to a cane charge.
What Majumdar Said
Speaking to reporters, Majumdar alleged that the Left's own march leaders abandoned the procession before it could reach its destination. 'Those who were leading the procession called by the Left from the beginning on Friday, could not lead it till the end. The unrest started before it reached near Dorina Crossing. Those who started the journey from Sealdah could not lead it till the end,' he said.
The Union Minister further alleged that journalists were attacked during the march and that a woman journalist telephoned him on Friday to report that she had been harassed and that obscene gestures were directed at her. He said other women present at the rally intervened to protect her. 'Those who committed this act yesterday are not students. I can guarantee that they are not even close to the qualifications required to appear for the NEET exam. Our Chief Minister has made it clear that no one will be given any concessions. No one will get any exemption. The Anti-Goon Act will show the consequences for indulging in hooliganism,' Majumdar said.
Chief Minister's Warning
Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condemned the attack on journalists in the state assembly, warning that action against those responsible would be so severe that 'their future generations will also remember it.' Adhikari invoked the state's Anti-Goon Act as the legal instrument to be deployed against those found guilty of violence.
Opposition Condemns Media Attacks
Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Ritabrata Banerjee, also strongly condemned the assault on media personnel during the student protest in Esplanade on Friday. Banerjee visited injured journalists at SSKM Hospital and demanded swift legal action against the culprits. He called the attacks on the media 'unacceptable' and pressed for speedy punishment.
What Triggered the Violence
On Friday, 25 July, various student organisations affiliated with the Left Front held a protest march against the alleged NEET-UG exam paper leak, with thousands of participants. The situation turned chaotic at Dorina Crossing in Esplanade, where a scuffle broke out between police and protesters. Bricks and stones were reportedly hurled at police, forcing them to resort to a cane charge to restore order. Journalists and camera operators from multiple outlets were injured in the melee.
Multiple cases have since been registered at various Kolkata police stations. Police have begun identifying accused individuals by examining CCTV footage from the area. This is among the most significant instances of violence at a political rally in Kolkata in recent months, and it has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum.
With police investigations under way and the Anti-Goon Act cited as a potential tool for prosecution, the coming days will test whether the state government follows through on its warnings with verifiable legal action.
Point of View
But the political framing diverges sharply: the BJP is using the violence to delegitimise the Left's NEET protest itself, while the Opposition leader focuses narrowly on press freedom. The invocation of the Anti-Goon Act is a signal of intent, but West Bengal has a long history of such warnings outpacing actual prosecutions. The real accountability test is whether CCTV-based identifications lead to convictions — not just FIRs. Meanwhile, the NEET-UG grievance that brought thousands onto the streets remains unaddressed in the political response.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Left Front march in Kolkata on 25 July?
Left Front student organisations held a protest march against the alleged NEET-UG exam paper leak, which turned violent at Dorina Crossing in Esplanade. Protesters reportedly hurled bricks and stones at police, who responded with a cane charge; several journalists were injured in the chaos.
What action has the West Bengal government announced against the violence?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned in the state assembly that strict action would be taken under the Anti-Goon Act against those responsible, saying consequences would be so severe that 'their future generations will also remember it.' Police have registered multiple cases and are using CCTV footage to identify accused persons.
Why did Sukanta Majumdar speak out on the Kolkata march violence?
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar backed CM Adhikari's tough stance and alleged that journalists — including a woman journalist who called him directly — were attacked and harassed during the march. He also questioned whether the participants were genuine students.
What was the Left Front march protesting?
The march was organised by Left Front student organisations to protest the alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG entrance examination. Thousands participated before the procession turned violent near Dorina Crossing.
Who is Ritabrata Banerjee and what was his response?
Ritabrata Banerjee is the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. He condemned the attacks on media personnel, visited injured journalists at SSKM Hospital, and demanded swift legal action and speedy punishment for those responsible.
