Sanyasi against tyranny: Powerful image of a man in saffron robes braving water canons in Kolkata captures the imagination of netizens

A video of a defiant Hindu saint carrying India's flag while facing heavy pressure from water canons has captured the imagination of a large number of netizens, underscoring the police excesses against peaceful protesters demonstrating over the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder incident.

Ever since the gory details of the rape and murder of the trainee female doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital came out, the West Bengal government-led by Mamata Banerjee has been facing public ire and criticism from the courts. Civil society, students, political parties, and the public at large have taken onto the streets against the West Bengal administration. They have accused it of mishandling the case and trying to suppress the public movement that is seeking Justice for Abhaya – the name given to the deceased trainee doctor. 

As part of the ongoing protests, the student organisation ‘Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj’ and the dissident State government employees’ platform ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’ called a protest march – ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ for 27th August. The enraged protestors marched towards the state secretariat building to demand the removal of CM Mamata Banerjee for failing to take strict action against the culprits in the Kolkata rape and murder case. 

However, the Kolkata Police resorted to lathi charges, and water cannons, and used tear gas canons to chase away peaceful demonstrators and stop them from reaching the State Secretariat, the visuals of which further galvanised the protesters and the general public alike. Several netizens have shared videos of the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters stressing that the general public has risen in defiance against the oppressive regime of CM Mamata Banerjee. 

While some of the X users have shared videos alleging Police excesses and male officers manhandling female students, the video of a defiant Hindu saint amid heavy pressure from the water canon has captured the imagination of a large number of netizens. 

In the video, a saffron-clad Hindu saint can be seen raising the Tricolour as the Police try to push him away using water canons. He can be seen withstanding the heavy thrust from the water canon and continuing the protest march to seek Justice for the RG Kar Hospital victim. 

TV channels, BJP leaders, Former Ministers, and several popular X handles have shared this video. They have hailed the Hindu Saint with some dubbing it as a powerful imagery equivalent to the coveted Tiananmen Square image, others have described it as a symbol of defiance against the oppressive regime and tyranny of CM Mamata Banerjee in the state. 

Reporting on the Police actions to disperse the peaceful protesters, NDTV shared the video stating, “Try to understand the gestures of the elderly.” 

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader, Smriti Irani has shared the video of the saffron-clad man stating, “The people rise against tyranny…”

BJP’s youth wing, BJYM said, “Undeterred by Kolkata Police fury, this scene is the ultimate symbol of defiance against the oppressive regime of Mamata Banerjee.”

“Sanatan”, wrote Kanchan Gupta, veteran journalist, and senior media advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Jaipur Dialogues wrote, “This video is as powerful as the Tianmen Square image. More power to you.”

Popular X handle, Year Of The Kraken said, “Absolute Fire Visuals! The end of the tyranny of Mamata Banerjee is upon us!”. The handle also used the hashtag MamataMustResign. Incidentally, it is credited for starting this hashtag during the initial days of the protest in the RG Kar Hospital case. The text on the video reads, “The Tyrant Mamata VS A Hindu Sadhu Holding The Tricolour!”

An X user said, “In Bankim Babu’s Anandamath, the sanyasis revolted against the British Raj. Here a sanyasi is standing against Bano. Very powerful image.”

Many other X users have shared videos slamming the West Bengal government for the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters and manhandling female students. Some of the users said that the visuals display what dictatorship looks like.  

Tagging Dhruv Rathee, Desi Mojito said, “This is what dictatorship looks like”.

Another X user wrote, “Male Police officer was dragging a female student by her hand . That made few male protestors angry and they attacked that police officer. Other protestors came as saviours and rescued him”. 

It is pertinent to note that for the last 3 decades, politics in West Bengal has been marred with wanton-targeted violence against opponents and the political landscape being dominated by the party and ecosystem that controlled the streets. Mamata Banerjee who ousted the left and has been keeping the resurgent BJP away from power, often took to the streets against her opponents whenever she and was seen as the one controlling the streets. However, now the public has seemingly risen against her administration and taken the streets to demand Justice for Abhaya despite the cold actions of the administration.