Trinamool leaders arrested for rallying in support of youth protesters in Delhi have been released on bail
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Kunal Ghosh walks out as he is released from police headquarters following his arrest by police in Lalbazar, Kolkata, Saturday, July 25, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI
Several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders were arrested in Kolkata on Saturday (July 25, 2026) at a rally organized in support of youth protesters in Delhi after the Calcutta High Court denied them permission to hold the rally.
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MLA Kunal Ghosh, a loyalist of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with Trinamool leader and Kolkata Municipal Corporation councilor Baiswanor Chatterjee and others gathered at CIT Road in Kolkata to express solidarity with the youth protesters.
However, the court refused the permission citing the prevailing law and order situation following which the Trinamool leaders were arrested. When Ms. Banerjee reached the spot, she raised slogans against their arrest.
Afterwards, Trinamool leaders, including MPs Derek O’ Brien and Dola Sen, and MLA Biman Banerjee gathered outside the Lalbazar police headquarters here but were not allowed inside.
Mr. Ghosh and others were subsequently granted bail and released from the Lalbazar police jail.
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“The rally broke up after the Supreme Court refused to grant permission. But no one can stop the All India Trinamool Congress and Mamata Banerjee’s soldiers with such harassment,” Mr Ghosh said after his release.
The permission to hold the rally was canceled at the 11th hour even though they had obtained it in advance, Ms. Banerjee alleged. She claimed that she and her party leaders were manipulated.
“Their (police) children are also students, their children are also supporting the movement, and you are ordering batons to people on the instructions of the government?” said Ms. Banerjee. Why were the Trinamool Party leaders arrested even though their rally was canceled after the permission was denied and the party supporters remained at one place, she said. They joined the protest only to show their solidarity with the students’ protest and instead were subjected to police brutality, she added.
The Trinamool president was seen riding a motorcycle from the protest site to her residence. While there were reports that the former CM would visit Lalbazar, her route was subsequently changed.
This comes a day after Kolkata saw a sea of protesters take over the city in solidarity with protests in Delhi on Friday (July 24, 2026). Friday’s demonstration ended in violence between police and protesters and led to the filing of at least six cases against the protesters.
The Trinamool supremo congratulated the youth protestors in the country for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. While she described the development as a victory, she also said it was “just an eyewash”.
“I will go to Delhi and meet the students… My solidarity is with all the lovely youth and students,” Ms. Banerjee said. Condemning the police crackdown on the protesters, she vowed that no matter what action the police take, she will continue to raise her voice for the youth and the nation.
Published – 25 Jul 2026 22:23 IST