A college student has been arrested by the Kolkata police for posting a provocative message on social media that allegedly incited violence against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Kirti Sharma, under the Instagram handle “kirtisocial,” is accused of encouraging others to assassinate Banerjee.

Sharma, a second-year B.Com student, made headlines with a post urging, “Shoot Mamata Banerjee like Indira Gandhi. If you can’t do it, I wouldn’t disappoint.”

The post was promptly flagged by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters. The police also said that Sharma revealed the identity and photo of a 31-year-old postgraduate doctor who was tragically raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

The Kolkata Police issued a statement saying, “A complaint was received regarding the accused person, having the Instagram ID ‘kirtisocial,’ who uploaded three Instagram stories related to the recent incident at RG Kar Hospital. The posts disclosed the picture and identity of the victim, which is highly offensive in nature. Additionally, the accused shared two stories containing offensive comments and life threats against the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal. These comments are provocative and may create social unrest and promote hatred among communities.”

Meanwhile, Bengal TMC minister Udayan Guha sparked controversy after he warned that the state government would identify those who are abusing, critisising Banerjee and calling for her resignation over the incident and “break their fingers”. Guha compared the protests in Kolkata to the unrest in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s removal.

“Those pointing fingers at Mamata over the rape and murder incident, abusing her on social media and demanding her resignation, they will be identified and their fingers will be broken. There is an attempt to transform Bengal into Bangladesh,” Guha said at an event on Sunday.

“Even after mobs vandalised the hospital, the Kolkata police did not open fire. The police will not allow a Bangladesh-type situation in West Bengal. We will not allow Bengal to turn into Bangladesh…,” the TMC minister added, per Free Press Journal.

Responding to Guha’s threats, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said “this is real fascism.”

In a post on X, Poonawalla wrote, “Dictator Didi minister Udayan Guha who insulted & mocked Women’s 14th August midnight march now gives chilling warning. If you point finger at CM, fingers will be broken. This is real fascism”.

His post added, “Kolkata police issues threat notices to citizens, summons doctors; football match cancelled to avoid protests; Shantanu Sen sacked as spokesperson for speaking on Sandip Ghosh, Sukhendu Roy summoned; Talibani order to transfer 43 doctors which was halted. Now open threats! Apparently doctor has witnessed violence yesterday by a mob. Parents of victim have also spoken on how Mamta is suppressing the truth yet INDI alliance which says Sanvidhan Bachao is silent on Balatkari Bachao, Sach Chipao!”

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh defended the police’s actions, stating they are targeting those spreading false information and fake audio about the rape-murder case. Ghosh advised that protests should be conducted respectfully.

“If you think you will protest, do it a hundred times in proper language. Do it a thousand times,” Ghosh posted on X.

“But giving wrong information, distorted assumptions, fake audio, purposeful inciting posts, names and photos of the deceased, the police will warn you,” he said.

The Kolkata police have intensified their crackdown on social media posts related to the case. Summons have been issued to Trinamool MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray for calling for a CBI investigation into the Kolkata police commissioner and the former principal of the medical college.

Former BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and two prominent doctors have also been summoned for allegedly spreading rumours and disclosing the woman’s identity. At least 57 others have been summoned for disseminating false information about the incident.

The body of the woman, a postgraduate trainee doctor, was discovered in a seminar hall at the hospital on August 9, and a civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime.