Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rode a scooter to the Padmapukur area of Kolkata on Saturday, 25 July, after police detained party leaders Kunal Ghosh and Baishwanor Chatterjee amid a standoff over a cancelled procession against the NEET question paper leak. The dramatic street appearance underscored a sharp escalation in tensions between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Kolkata Police over the right to hold public demonstrations.

What Triggered the Confrontation

The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the party's student wing, along with its IT wing, had planned a march from Padmapukur to the Moulali intersection via CIT Road to protest the NEET paper leak. Supporters began gathering at Padmapukur from noon, with party leaders including Dola Sen, Kunal Ghosh, and Baishwanor Chattopadhyay present on the ground.

The Trinamool claimed that police had initially granted permission for the procession but later withdrew it. According to the party, TMCP president Priyanka Adhikari was notified by email that permission was denied owing to unrest that had broken out during a Left-front protest programme the previous day, Friday.

High Court Dismisses Plea on Holiday Sitting

The TMCP approached the Calcutta High Court seeking judicial clearance for the march. In an unusual move, the court convened on a holiday to hear the petition — but dismissed it, ruling that permission could not be granted given Friday's disturbances. Following the court's order, police moved in to disperse the crowd assembled at Padmapukur, triggering a scuffle between TMC leaders, activists, and law enforcement personnel.

Detentions and Mamata's Arrival

Amid the clashes, Kunal Ghosh and Baishwanor Chatterjee were detained by police. On receiving news of the detentions, Mamata Banerjee rode a scooter to the site, accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien. She was seen addressing party workers at Padmapukur and alleged that police were systematically suppressing the opposition across multiple locations. A section of the road came to a standstill while she was present.

Police maintained that the gathering was unlawful following the High Court's dismissal and that their action was in compliance with the court's order.

Mamata's Rebuttal on Facebook Live

After returning to her residence in Kalighat by scooter, Mamata addressed supporters through a Facebook Live session, stating that permission had been duly sought but arbitrarily denied. She questioned why TMC's student and youth wings were refused what other political parties were reportedly allowed. 'Is Trinamool untouchable or not? Can the voice of Trinamool be silenced in this way?' she asked.

Wider Context

The incident comes amid a charged national atmosphere over the NEET paper leak controversy, which has triggered protests across multiple states. This is not the first time Mamata Banerjee has used high-visibility street action to make a political point — her history of sit-in protests and public demonstrations stretches back decades. Critics argue, however, that the Trinamool's confrontation with police in a state it governs raises questions about the party's use of protest optics when it holds executive authority.

The situation at Padmapukur is likely to feed into a broader political dispute over civil liberties and the right to protest, with the Trinamool and opposition parties watching the fallout closely.