The Indian Army dismantled a protest stage erected by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata, which had been set up for nearly a month to protest alleged atrocities against Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states. TMC Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the central government of misusing the Army for political gain, claiming the action was undemocratic and unconstitutional. She insisted that the TMC had received permission to hold the protest for two days and criticized the Army for not consulting the Kolkata Police before taking action. However, a defense official clarified that the permission was indeed limited to two days, and the Army acted after multiple reminders to the organizers went unheeded, as the area falls under its jurisdiction per Supreme Court directives. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh added that the party would relocate its protests. The situation illustrates a deeper political conflict between the TMC and BJP, with accusations of power misuse highlighting the contentious political environment in West Bengal. While the TMC portrays the Army’s actions as a political maneuver by the BJP, the Army’s adherence to established protocols underscores its commitment to law and order in managing public events. Such incidents reflect broader tensions in Indian politics, where the interaction between state authority and political dissent is continually negotiated.