Kolkata1 hour agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
Like every year, Martyrs’ Day is being observed by the Congress and both factions of the Trinamool Congress. However, this year marks a significant political shift, as it is the first Martyrs’ Day since the BJP came to power in West Bengal.
First BJP-era Martyrs’ Day begins today
The state’s political landscape has undergone dramatic changes, with the Trinamool Congress now split into two factions, one led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the other by Leader of the Opposition Ritobrato Banerjee. In addition, around 20 MPs have joined the NCPI, further reshaping Bengal’s political equation.
Split Trinamool reshapes Bengal political landscape
The venues for the rallies have also changed. Until last year, when the Trinamool government was in power, the party’s Martyrs’ Day programme was held at Dorina Crossing in Kolkata’s Esplanade. This year, following directions from the Calcutta High Court, the rallies have been shifted to different locations.
High Court changes traditional rally venues
The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is organising its rally near the Birla Planetarium in the Nandan area, while the Ritobrato Banerjee-led Trinamool faction is holding its programme on Mayo Road near the Gandhi statue.
Mamata, Ritobrato hold separate public rallies
The Calcutta High Court has imposed separate attendance limits for both rallies. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has been permitted a maximum gathering of 2,500 people, while the Ritobrato Banerjee-led faction has been allowed up to 750 participants.
Meanwhile, the Congress is organising its Martyrs’ Day rally at Shahid Minar.
TMC alleges stage vandalised before rally
The Trinamool Congress alleged that, late on Sunday night, around 25–30 unidentified bike-borne individuals, whom the party described as “BJP-backed goons,” vandalised the stage being prepared for Mamata Banerjee’s Martyrs’ Day rally.
Kalyan alleges police absent despite permission
Senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee alleged that despite the Calcutta High Court’s permission for the event, no police personnel had been deployed near the venue. According to the party, the incident occurred after Mamata Banerjee had returned home following an inspection of the venue.
After receiving information about the alleged vandalism, Mamata Banerjee returned to the venue to inspect the site.
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Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari of attempting to derail the Martyrs’ Day rally.
They conspired to disrupt our programme. I am being stopped from moving and kept under surveillance. We have observed July 21 for 40 years, yet only the Trinamool Congress is being obstructed. Kalyan Banerjee was attacked. What happened in Delhi has now happened here, with the Chief Minister’s backing,
she alleged.
The Congress on Tuesday alleged that its workers and supporters were attacked by BJP activists while travelling to Kolkata to attend the Martyrs’ Day rally at Shahid Minar. In a statement, West Bengal Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar claimed that a bus carrying Congress workers to Kolkata was vandalised by alleged BJP supporters at Muchipara in Durgapur on Monday night. The party also alleged that a similar attack took place at Potashpur in Purba Medinipur while Congress supporters were on their way to the rally.
Kolkata Police has deployed extensive security arrangements for the Martyrs’ Day rallies at Shahid Minar, the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road, and Birla Planetarium. According to Lalbazar, around 1,000 police personnel have been deployed across the three venues. The areas will be monitored using drones, while at least five Deputy Commissioners, including officers from the Central and South Divisions, will supervise security. Teams from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the High Radio Flying Squad (HRFS) have also been deployed. In addition, a substantial contingent of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) has been stationed to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order.
Visuals from Sealdah railway station on Martyrs’ Day 2026 presented a stark contrast to previous years. Unlike earlier occasions, when large crowds began gathering at multiple points from early morning to head for the rally venue, the station wore a largely deserted look, with only a handful of supporters seen arriving. The unusually thin turnout marked a noticeable departure from the massive mobilisations traditionally associated with Martyrs’ Day in Kolkata.
Martyrs’ Day 2026: Visuals from the Ritobrato Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction’s rally site near the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road at 9:42 am showed no party workers or supporters had arrived at the venue. Preparations were underway, but the gathering had not yet begun.
