ISF MLA Nawsad Siddique gets bail a day after arrest over protest against SIR in Kolkata

Kolkata 

Indian Secular Front legislator Nawsad Siddique and other party workers have been granted bail on Thursday (August 21, 2025), a day after they were arrested by Kolkata Police during a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). 

Mr. Siddique and 94 others were produced at court on Thursday. They were arrested during a protest at the Esplanade area in central Kolkata on Wednesday. Mr Siddique is the lone MLA from ISF and was leading the demonstrations on Wednesday when tensions rose and led to clashes between ISF workers and the Kolkata Police.  

“These protests will continue. This is a fight of the people, this is just the beginning. They cannot permanently keep us in jail. For how long will they keep us in jail?” Mr. Siddique said on Thursday morning before being taken to court. 

Huge protests erupted outside the Bankshall Court in Kolkata organised by ISF workers on Thursday. They demanded that their leader and other party workers detained during the protests on Wednesday be released immediately. 

Hundreds of protesters were waving the Indian flag outside the city court amid heavy police presence. 

Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner (Central) Indira Mukherjee was also present at the Bankshall Court along with other officials.  

Mr. Siddique and the others were arrested on multiple accounts, and several non-bailable sections were levied on the 95 persons. The cases were registered at Hare Street Police Station and Bowbazar Police Station. A non-bailable Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was also brought against the ISF leader, which deals with the assault of a public servant during duty. They were also charged under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. 

All the accused were released on a bond of ₹500 by the court. After his release, Mr. Siddique received a hero’s welcome from his supporters waiting outside the court premises. 

On Wednesday, the ISF MLA from Bhangar constituency and his fellow party workers were protesting against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, the harassment of Bengali migrant labourers in Bharatiya Janta Party-ruled States across the country, and the WAQF Amendment Act among other issues. 

While being detained, Mr. Siddique, from a police van, said that they were not allowed to hold rightful protests when their own brothers are being harassed.