The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday called for a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on Wednesday to protest against the alleged action of the police against students and other participants during their march to the state secretariat Nabanna.

The strike will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm.

"To protest against the barbaric attack on people today we will be observing a 12-hour general strike tomorrow," BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar told reporters during a press conference.

"We are appealing to everyone to ensure this bandh is successful," he said.

"I am asking my partymen to request people to make this strike successful," he said.

He announced a series of programmes till September 4 to protest against the rape and murder of the doctor in Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital which triggered countrywide agitations.

BJP President JP Nadda said police action during Tuesday's protest in West Bengal angered the nation.

"The images of police highhandedness from Kolkata have angered every person who values democratic principles," he posted on X.

"In Didi's West Bengal, to help rapists and criminals is valued but it's a crime to speak for women's safety," he said targeting West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

 Violent protests erupted in Kolkata and Howrah on Tuesday when students,  under the banner of 'Chhatra Samaj', marched towards state secretariat Nabanna to demonstrate against the rape and murder incident.

Tension escalated after police and students clashed in various corners of the city.

Police used water canons and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse crowds.