In a deeply unsettling development from Kolkata, Atish Sarkar, a leader associated with the All Indian Trinamool Congress (AITC/TMC), has been officially suspended for a period of one year. This disciplinary action comes in the wake of Sarkar's alarming threats directed at demonstrators who were actively protesting against a grievous incident—the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident that sparked widespread outrage occurred on the 9th of August at this hospital located in Kolkata.

The protests, marked by their intensity, have been a constant scene in West Bengal as the public outcry grows over the fate of the 31-year-old trainee doctor. Amidst these protests, on the 1st of September, Sarkar—who is notably the spouse of a TMC councillor from Habra—vehemently lashed out at the demonstrators.

During his vitriolic outburst, Sarkar revealed, “Didi has instructed us to hiss,” indicating directives from higher up within his party. Hailing from Ashoknagar in the North 24 Parganas district, which lies approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Kolkata, his comments have added fuel to an already volatile situation.

The intensity of his threat was stark: “Those of you who are abusing Didi, engaging in her character assassination, if we make obscene posters of your mothers and sisters and put them on your walls, you won’t be able to remove them. I will make a distorted picture of your mother and sister and hang it on the door of your house. You will not be able to leave your house. That day is going to come soon.” Such statements have not only shocked the local community but have also drawn severe criticism from various quarters, leading to his subsequent suspension by the party.

Following a deeply troubling pattern within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Atish Sarkar’s threats against protestors highlight an ongoing aggressive stance that the party seems to uphold against dissent. Sarkar chillingly warned, “Be careful, TMC men are on the streets,” and issued a stark challenge: “If we start hissing at every locality in the mornings and evenings, will you be able to step out of your homes?” These remarks, made by a leader of a major political party, underscore a menacing tactic aimed at instilling fear among citizens voicing their discontent.

The reaction to Sarkar’s incendiary comments was rapid; he was suspended by the TMC for a year as his words sparked outrage on social media. Yet, the suspension feels more like a performative gesture rather than a genuine step towards reform within the party. This incident is not an isolated one within the TMC, as other party leaders have similarly exploited their positions to intimidate and belittle protestors.

On the very same day, TMC Lok Sabha MP from Bankura, Arup Chakraborty, also attacked those protesting the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital. His words were equally harsh, claiming that the protesters, whom he accused of “misleading people,” would “flee like dogs” the moment the TMC intensified their measures. He pronounced at a party gathering in his constituency, “Awaken your conscience,” and urged, “Save (West) Bengal. Stand with Mamata Banerjee. We are there in Delhi’s Parliament. Trinamool Congress workers will have to hiss. Friends, you hiss and they will flee like dogs, they will run like foxes.”

Atish Sarkar, the suspended leader, articulated a sentiment reflecting a blend of defiance and provocation. "We wanted change, not revenge, after coming to power in 2011. But they have crossed all limits. They are misleading the people and making them say that people will not accept Kanyashree or Durga Puja grants (in protest against the rape and murder case). If they have guts, they should take out a rally and show how many people are with them," he stated emphatically. This statement attempts to discredit the legitimacy of the protests by challenging the protesters to demonstrate public support, insinuating that their grievances lack widespread backing.

Further, Sarkar called on the party’s female members and student workers to actively oppose the demonstrators, urging a direct confrontation rather than seeking dialogue or resolution. This strategy not only deepens the divide but also escalates the potential for conflict.

Sarkar's contentious remarks didn’t stop there. In another public meeting on August 19th, he expressed controversial views on the medical community involved in the protests: “If doctors, instead of treating patients and in the garb of protests, roam about with their boyfriends or go home and the patients die, there will be public outrage. If hospitals get gheraoed, they should not come to us to save them,” he declared. These comments are particularly inflammatory, suggesting a disregard for the professional and personal integrity of the protesting doctors, further accusing them of neglecting their duties.

The context in which these statements were made is crucial. Protests have been ongoing for over three weeks across Bengal, triggered by the rape and murder of the trainee doctor in Kolkata. The sluggish progress in the investigation, questionable conduct of local administration, and the West Bengal government's harsh measures to suppress the protests have only amplified the public's frustration and anger. This scenario highlights a grim reality where governmental response is marred by attempts to suppress dissent through intimidation and coercion rather than addressing the root causes of the unrest and ensuring justice. The ongoing situation poses significant questions about the effectiveness of governance and the protection of fundamental rights in the state.