On 20th August 2025, a peaceful Dharna took place at Metro Channel in Kolkata under the banner of the Constitution Protection Forum. The demonstration was part of a seven-day democratic movement jointly organized by nearly twenty political, social, and student organizations, including the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the Indian Secular Front (ISF), Women India Movement, Welfare Party of India, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the Azad Samaj Party, and the Minority Youth Federation.

The gathering was convened to raise urgent democratic demands. Among the issues highlighted were the harassment of Indian citizens and the attempt to classify them as “D-Voters” through the S.I.R. process, the atrocities faced by Bengali migrant workers across the country, the demand for the repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the restoration of OBC certificates, and protests against the issuance of fraudulent SC/ST certificates. The protest remained peaceful throughout and reflected the collective resolve of diverse organizations committed to safeguarding constitutional rights.

Despite this, the event was interrupted by the West Bengal state police, who intervened in a manner widely described as undemocratic and repressive. Without any provocation from the participants, the police disrupted the Dharna and forcibly detained more than one hundred leaders and activists, transporting them in police vehicles. Those arrested included key figures such as Hakikul Islam, State President of SDPI; Dr. Kamal Basirujjaman, State General Secretary of SDPI; Masudul Islam, Secretary of SDPI; and Nawsad Siddiqui, MLA from ISF, along with Kamruzzaman Saheb, Imtiaz Molla, Sarowar Hossain, and several other prominent leaders.

The arrests and the manner in which the protest was suppressed have raised serious concerns regarding the approach of the state administration towards peaceful democratic movements. Observers note that such actions not only undermine the right to protest but also erode confidence in the state’s commitment to upholding constitutional freedoms in West Bengal.