An elderly man who bravely faced water cannons during a protest in Kolkata has become a symbol of resistance, igniting a heated debate between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, drawing attention from across the nation.
The Protest and the Viral Video
End anarchy, end fascism. We all demand the end of TMC’s tyranny.
With the Tiranga in hand amid blasting water cannons, this man is defining his steadfast determination to against the oppression of @MamataOfficial.
I stand by him, the people of the state stand by him and the… pic.twitter.com/EvHFvHQu6H— Locket Chatterjee (@me_locket) August 27, 2024
The protest, which took place on Tuesday, was organized in response to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Thousands gathered at College Square as part of the ‘Nabanna Abhiyan’ rally, demanding justice. However, tensions quickly escalated when the police used lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd after protesters allegedly broke barricades and pelted stones.
Amidst the chaos, a video surfaced showing an elderly man holding the Indian tricolour, standing his ground against the forceful spray of water cannons. The man’s defiance became a focal point of the protest, with BJP leaders highlighting his courage.
BJP’s Response: A Symbol of Defiance
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared the video, praising the man’s bravery. “The man, waving a national flag, on the iconic Howrah bridge, amidst blazing water cannon, is the ultimate symbol of defiance against an oppressive Mamata Banerjee regime,” Malviya wrote.
The man, waving a national flag, on the iconic Howrah bridge, amidst blazing water cannon, is the ultimate symbol of defiance against an oppressive Mamata Banerjee regime… pic.twitter.com/gSh6STk45s
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 27, 2024
BJP leader Locket Chatterjee also lauded the man, stating, “Saffron has always stood tall against injustice, and this marks the beginning of the TMC government’s downfall. Arrogance, lawlessness, and unchecked egos will soon face their consequences.”
Other BJP leaders echoed similar sentiments, portraying the man as a symbol of the broader fight against what they termed as TMC’s tyranny.
TMC’s Counter: Not a Student, But a Hooligan
In contrast, the TMC dismissed the man’s actions, questioning his presence at a students’ protest. TMC leader Riju Datta pointed out that the man was not a student, referring to him as a “BJP hooligan.” Datta accused the BJP of orchestrating violence during the protest, stating, “They wanted ‘Dead Bodies,’ they wanted to create Anarchy like Bangladesh in Bengal. They pelted stones at police, broke barricades, destroyed police vehicles.”
Let me be very clear…
These are NOT Students…
These are Hooligans of BJP…They wanted “Dead Bodies”, they wanted to create a Anarchy like Bangladesh in Bengal.
They pelted stones at police, broke barricades, destroyed police vehicles, set fire to motorcycles, multiple… pic.twitter.com/TvncMkhhm2
— 𝐑𝐢𝐣𝐮 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐚 (@DrRijuDutta_TMC) August 27, 2024
Gautam Deb, another TMC leader, sarcastically referenced the popular web series “Panchayat,” mocking the man’s participation in the protest, “Fresh young students of BJP were found bunking their classes during today’s vandalism.”
Kijiye Studying Studying, Kheliye Studying Studying, Karte Rahiye Studying Studying. Fresh young students of BJP were found bunking their classes during today’s vandalism. pic.twitter.com/B2nasnuxyE
— Gautam Deb (@gautamdebaitc) August 27, 2024
Social Media Reactions
Touching visual from the protest in Kolkata – this old gentleman is facing water cannos alone holding the tiranga.
Two students come with their flag and shield him.
Mamta totally out of sync with the sentiment on the ground. pic.twitter.com/5U5ogaQbpl— Advaita Kala (@AdvaitaKala) August 27, 2024
Have you ever not seen like an elderly saffron monk stood tall, facing them head-on with the holding Tiranga🇮🇳 in hand. When water cannons unleashed.
This is a powerful symbol against the tyranny
And showing true essence.#RGKarProtest #NabannaAbhijan #KolkataDoctorDeathCase… pic.twitter.com/zPxuGvkcNY— SALONEE 🥰 (@abhisaloni_29) August 27, 2024
The viral video also divided social media users. While many praised the elderly man for his courage, others questioned his involvement in a protest organized by student groups. One user sarcastically commented, “Student Dadu. According to ABP Ananda and BJP IT cell, this man with a white beard, asking police to wear bangles is a STUDENT.”
Student Dadu 😉
According to ABP Ananda and BJP IT cell, this man with a white beard, asking police to wear bangles is a STUDENT. He has hit the streets of Kolkata “as a student” to protest against the RG Kar incident.#Bengal #Kolkata #BJPScams #KolkataDoctorDeathCase pic.twitter.com/OjPsceSzVU
— Anindita (@hatefreeworldX) August 27, 2024
The Broader Context
The protest was primarily organized by the student platform ‘Chhatrasamaj’ and ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha,’ representing state government employees. The rally was a response to the alleged mishandling of the investigation into the doctor’s death, with protesters demanding accountability and justice.
As the debate continues, the elderly man’s image has become a powerful symbol, reflecting the deep political divides in West Bengal. Whether seen as a hero or a provocateur, his actions have undeniably stirred the ongoing discourse on governance and dissent in the state.
