March led by Mamata Banerjee from Jadavpur to Hazra draws massive crowds as West Bengal CM protests alleged Central oppression, ED raids, and threats to democratic rights.
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | January 9, 2026
March:Chief Minister Says “The Streets Are Our Answer” Against Alleged Delhi Oppression
March became the message on Friday as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a massive protest rally from Jadavpur’s 8B Bus Stand to Hazra Crossing, declaring the streets as the democratic response to what she described as continued humiliation and deprivation by the Centre.
The March began shortly after 3 pm, drawing an enormous turnout of Trinamool Congress leaders, ministers, MPs, MLAs, cultural figures, television personalities, and ordinary citizens. Walking alongside the Chief Minister were state ministers Firhad Hakim and Aroop Biswas, actor-MP Dev, MLA Soham Chakraborty, and several senior party leaders, underscoring the political and symbolic weight of the demonstration.
“Jadavpur Is the Land of Struggle,” Says Mamata
Before setting off, Mamata Banerjee addressed the crowd at Jadavpur, greeting residents and thanking them for their continued support. She extended New Year wishes and said that the people of Bengal would carry the state’s voice to the global stage. In the same breath, she clarified the purpose of the March, stating that it was a protest against deprivation, insults, repression, and what she claimed was the removal of voting rights of nearly two crore citizens.
Quoting Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Chief Minister said, “The streets are our path,” adding that Jadavpur’s soil has always stood for resistance — from refugee movements to people’s struggles. As the procession moved forward, thousands lined both sides of the road, turning the rally into a moving show of public solidarity.
ED Raids and Political Fallout
The rally followed Enforcement Directorate searches conducted on Thursday at the Loudon Street residence of I-PAC chief Prateek Jain and the firm’s Salt Lake office. Mamata Banerjee alleged that the raids were aimed at seizing her party’s election strategy and confidential documents, calling the operation a “criminal act” designed to benefit the ruling party at the Centre.
She accused the ED of transferring Trinamool Congress’ internal electoral data and squarely held Union Home Minister Amit Shah responsible, as the agency functions under his ministry. According to Banerjee, the public would deliver a fitting response to what she termed a political “attack.”
It was outside the Salt Lake I-PAC office on Friday that she formally announced the rally, which culminated around 4:30 pm at Hazra Crossing, marking one of the most visible political mobilisations in the state in recent months.
