Mamata Banerjee leads 'Justice for Baruipur' candlelight march in Kolkata
Synopsis
Mamata Banerjee broke through police barricades to lead a candlelight march demanding 'Justice for Baruipur' — a pointed street-level challenge over an alleged rape and murder case that has already put three suspects behind bars and set West Bengal's political temperature rising.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee led a candlelight procession in Kalighat, Kolkata on 6 July over the alleged rape and murder of a minor in Baruipur .
Protesters broke through police barricades; the march reached Hazra Crossing before concluding peacefully.
Senior TMC leaders Dola Sen , Pratima Mandal , and Aparupa Poddar joined the demonstration.
Three people , including the main accused, have been arrested; three more detained in connection with the Baruipur case.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari spoke to the victim's family and assured the strictest punishment for the accused.
Police and central forces were deployed outside Banerjee's residence, a deployment she criticised publicly.
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, 6 July led a candlelight procession through the Kalighat area of south Kolkata to demand justice over the alleged rape and murder of a minor in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district. The demonstration, centred on the slogan 'Justice for Baruipur', drew a significant police and central forces presence that briefly halted the march before it pushed forward.
How the Procession Unfolded
Banerjee's march began outside her residence in Kalighat, where police and central forces had erected barricades. Protesters broke through the barricades, creating a tense standoff, though law enforcement managed to prevent the situation from escalating further. The procession advanced to Hazra Crossing, where demonstrators held a brief protest before Banerjee led the group back to her home. Notably, she did not address party workers or media personnel at the conclusion of the march.
TMC Women Leaders Join the Protest
Senior Trinamool Congress women leaders were prominently present alongside Banerjee. Dola Sen, Pratima Mandal, and Aparupa Poddar participated in the procession carrying placards and candles. The visible involvement of the party's women's leadership underscored the political weight the TMC is placing on the Baruipur case.
The Baruipur Incident: What Is Known
Tensions had gripped Baruipur the previous day following allegations of the rape and murder of a minor. Current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reportedly spoke with the victim's family after learning of the incident. Police moved swiftly: three people, including the main accused, have been arrested, and three more have been detained, according to reports. Adhikari assured the family that those responsible would face the strictest punishment. Banerjee had also spoken to the family by phone the night before the procession.
Political Backdrop and Escalating Tensions
Police and central forces had been deployed outside Banerjee's Kalighat residence since the day before the march — a deployment she publicly criticised. Earlier on Monday, a Trinamool Congress delegation travelled to Baruipur to assess the situation firsthand; upon returning to Kolkata, they briefed Banerjee, after which she announced the candlelight procession. This comes amid a broader pattern of street-level political mobilisation in West Bengal over law-and-order incidents, a recurring flashpoint between the state's ruling establishment and opposition voices. The Baruipur case is the latest in a series of such incidents to trigger public outcry in the state.
What Happens Next
With three suspects in custody and three more detained, investigators face pressure to move quickly toward charges. Opposition parties are expected to continue demanding accountability, and the case is likely to reverberate in the state's political arena in the days ahead.
Point of View
More than the barricade-breaking, signals how charged the atmosphere in West Bengal has become. The real accountability test will come at trial, not at Hazra Crossing.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Baruipur incident that triggered the protest?
The Baruipur incident refers to the alleged rape and murder of a minor in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The case sparked public outrage and political mobilisation, with three people, including the main accused, arrested and three more detained, according to reports.
Why did Mamata Banerjee hold a candlelight procession?
Mamata Banerjee organised the candlelight march on 6 July to demand justice for the alleged victim in the Baruipur case. The procession, held under the slogan 'Justice for Baruipur', was also a response to what she described as excessive police deployment outside her Kalighat residence.
Who joined Mamata Banerjee at the Kalighat procession?
Senior Trinamool Congress women leaders Dola Sen, Pratima Mandal, and Aparupa Poddar marched alongside Banerjee, carrying placards and candles in solidarity with the Baruipur victim.
What action has the government taken in the Baruipur case?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari spoke with the victim's family and assured the strictest punishment for the accused. Police have arrested three people, including the main accused, and detained three more in connection with the case.
Did Mamata Banerjee speak to the media after the procession?
No. After leading the march back to her Kalighat residence, Banerjee did not address party workers or media personnel, according to reports from the scene.
