New Delhi: The firing that took place in Kolkata on July 21, 1993, remains one of the most heinous incidents in the history of the city in the post-1947 era. On that day, the police of the city fired on certain workers of the Congress, and it killed 13 people and injured many others. The firing took place when Mamata Banerjee, who was then a Congress leader, led the State Youth Congress in a protest march to the Writers’ Building, the then headquarters of the West Bengal government.
What happened on that day?
The West Bengal government, which was helmed by the Left Front, faced allegations of electoral fraud in the 1991 state elections. On July 21, 1993, the then-state President of the Indian Youth Congress, Mamata Banerjee led a protest march to the Writers’ Building, the seat of the state government demanding mandatory voter photo-ID cards for free and fair elections. The protest was marching in the morning, but around one kilometre ahead of the destination, the police intervened at Esplanade. Then the police opened fire at the protesters which led to the death of 13 people and injured many.
The city police commissioner at that time, Tushar Talukdar said that police contingents were deployed near the Writers’ Building due to the protest march. However, after the incident, Talukdar claimed in a press conference that he did not know about the firing. After the incident, S.B. Chavan, the Union Home Minister rushed to Kolkata and urged the state government to order a judicial probe. However, the then Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu ordered no such probe and reportedly supported the police firing. Later, an executive inquiry was undertaken but 21 years later, officials told an inquiry commission that reports files were missing from the Lalbazar, the headquarters of the Kolkata Police and the Writers’ Building.
The firing incident provided a massive impetus to Mamata Banerjee’s political career who also suffered injury in the incident. Known for her political potential, the incident fetched her public sympathy and she later became hugely popular. In 1997, she established the All India Trinamool Congress and became the CM in 2011. Today, July 21 is observed as Martyrs Day by the Trinamool Congress and the Congress in West Bengal.
The West Bengal government, which was helmed by the Left Front, faced allegations of electoral fraud in the 1991 state elections. On July 21, 1993, the then-state President of the Indian Youth Congress, Mamata Banerjee led a protest rally to the Writers’ Building. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
