In August 2024, the nation was shaken by the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. In the aftermath of this tragic and unfortunate event, people from across India have united in demanding justice for the victim. Amidst this outcry, a video has gone viral on social media, showing a young woman dancing on stage. The video is being circulated with claims that it is from a BJP protest against the rape.
Congress leader Surendra Rajput claimed on X, ‘BJP people are protesting against the gruesome rape incident that happened in Kolkata! They are making girls dance and using posters in the name of protest. BJP only does dirty politics in the name of rape! Don’t these BJP people feel ashamed?’
भाजपा वाले कुछ ऐसे कोलकत्ता में हुए वीभत्स बलात्कार कांड का विरोध कर रहे है!
— Surendra Rajput (@ssrajputINC) August 26, 2024
लड़कियाँ नचा रहे है और विरोध के नाम पर पोस्टर से काम चला रहे हैं।भाजपा बलात्कार के नाम पर सिर्फ़ गंदी राजनीति करती है!
शर्म नहीं आती इन भाजपा वालों को?pic.twitter.com/B969RCKc5o
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate asserted, ‘Is this really a protest by BJP seeking justice in RG Kar case?’
Is this really a protest by BJP seeking justice in RG Kar case?
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) August 26, 2024
pic.twitter.com/7JX6rG12v3
Congress supporter Bhavika Kapoor posted, ‘BJP can protest in its’ own unique style. Here BJP guys are protesting in West Bengal against RG Kar case. Background banners say “we want justice”. Protest hindutvavadi style.’
BJP can protest in its' own unique style 👌🏼
— Bhavika Kapoor (@BhavikaKapoor5) August 26, 2024
Here BJP guys are protesting in West Bengal against RG Kar case.
Background banners say "we want justice"
Protest hindutvavadi style 🚩😑 pic.twitter.com/3Wd5kkkv8k
Zakir Ali Tyagi shared on X, ‘Dance going on in the protest organized by BJP Bengal against RG Kar rape case, “We Want Justice” written on the posters in the background. Believe me, whether it is rape cases or martyrdom of soldiers, for BJP there is nothing but politics, BJP bakes political bread, fools people and makes them turn their backs!’
RG कर रेप मामलें के ख़िलाफ बीजेपी बंगाल द्वारा आयोजित प्रोटेस्ट में डांस चल रहा है, पीछे पोस्टरों पर लिखा है "We Want Justice"
— Zakir Ali Tyagi (@ZakirAliTyagi) August 26, 2024
यक़ीन कीजिए चाहिए रेप के मामलें हो या जवानों की शहादत, बीजेपी के लिए राजनीति के सिवा कुछ नही, बीजेपी राजनीतिक रोटियां सेंकती है लोगों का बेवक़ूफ़ बनाती… pic.twitter.com/08j9E3UyVa
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha Saket Gokhale stated, ‘ 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠!. This is allegedly from a “protest for RG Kar” organized by BJP in Bengal. Is THIS BJP’s idea of “respecting women”? Creepy BJP misogynists hijacked a protest for political agendas with ZERO concern for the victim or any woman.’
𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠!
— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) August 26, 2024
This is allegedly from a “protest for RG Kar” organized by BJP in Bengal.
Is THIS BJP’s idea of “respecting women”?
Creepy BJP misogynists hijacked a protest for political agendas with ZERO concern for the victim or any woman. pic.twitter.com/Pb8NTEJHfe
TMC leader Sayan Deb Chatterjee wrote, ‘This is the BJP’s way of asking for Justice..My head hangs down with shame…One word – Disgusting!!!’
This is the BJP’s way of asking for Justice..My head hangs down with shame…One word – Disgusting!!!@BJP4India @MamataOfficial @abhishekaitc @derekobrienmp @sayani06 @ItsYourDev @MahuaMoitra pic.twitter.com/itKKTsbhGf
— Sayan Deb Chatterjee (@SAYANDEBCHATT) August 25, 2024
Islamist Harun Khan asserted, ‘Dance is going on in the protest organised by BJP Bengal against RG Kar Medical College rape case, “We Want Justice” is written on the poster behind.’
Dance is going on in the protest organised by BJP Bengal against RG Kar Medical College rape case, "We Want Justice" is written on the poster behind.#JusticeForMoumita pic.twitter.com/RKQRvNkykl
— هارون خان (@iamharunkhan) August 26, 2024
TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta claimed, ‘This is @BJP4Bengal Protest demanding Justice in the RGKar Case! You can see the “We Want Justice” posters on the background..Disgusting, Shameful, Uncouth to say the least…A “Chapri” Party in all its glory..What an absolute disgrace!’
This is @BJP4Bengal Protest demanding Justice in the RGKar Case!
— 𝐑𝐢𝐣𝐮 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐚 (@DrRijuDutta_TMC) August 26, 2024
You can see the “We Want Justice” posters on the background..
Disgusting, Shameful, Uncouth to say the least…
A “Chapri” Party in all its glory..What an absolute disgrace! pic.twitter.com/cUYTBqZgjm
Also Read: Claim About Hijabi Muslim Woman Attacked by Hindu Mob in Bangladesh is Misleading
Fact Check
In our investigation, we found that the viral video does not display the name of any political party on the stage, nor are there any party flags visible among the people standing in front of it. After that, we discovered a video on Debastuti Debnath’s Facebook profile. According to her profile, Debastuti is a dancer and a teacher. The stage in her Facebook video and the viral video appear to be the same.
While sharing the video, Debastuti wrote, “I wish we could loudly say to listen to this girl: this night belongs to you just as much as it belongs to men. 🙏 The students and parents of Madhuban Dance Center witnessed memories of Tilottama in protest against the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar. A big thank you to all the members of the Sebak Samiti Club who have always provided a beautiful stage for my school to showcase our talents.”
Our investigation also led us to a Facebook user named Pijush Bhowmick, who had shared this video. In the comments on Pijush’s post, Debastuti identified him as a member of the committee. While sharing the video, Pijush addressed the concerns raised by some, writing, “Many people are questioning why events happen on stage during such times. The reality is that this fair has been running for 15 years, and almost 50 or 60 shops depend on it. With the recent heavy rains, fewer people have been attending, so we have to organize programs like this dance to draw crowds. Some are sharing this dance video and criticizing it—have you protested outside of Facebook? By sharing this video and questioning the dance, you’ve belittled the performer and shown your own narrow-mindedness.”
We reached out to Pijush Bhowmick for further clarification. He explained that the viral video was filmed at their fair, organized in Nabadwip, West Bengal, by the ‘Ma Manasa & Behula Lakshminder Mela’ committee, of which his family is a member. The fair has been a tradition for nearly 15 years, featuring various stage performances. Given the recent public outcry over the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, the stage was decorated with banners and posters in protest of the incident. After this, the regular programs, including the dance seen in the viral video, took place as usual.
Pijush made it clear that the dance video was not intended to downplay the tragic incident. The committee stands in solidarity with the victim and her family. He also mentioned that this year’s heavy rains have significantly reduced attendance at the fair, which has prompted them to organize programs like this dance to attract more visitors. When asked if the stage was affiliated with any political party, Pijush firmly denied any such connection, stating that the dance was solely intended to gather a larger crowd.
In conclusion, our investigation clearly shows that the young woman’s dance was not performed in protest of the rape and murder of the female doctor in Kolkata (West Bengal), nor was it associated with the BJP.
