Kolkata: Amid raging agitation against Mamata Banerjee's government over alleged cover-up of the RG Kar trainee doctor’s gruesome rape and murder, a bearded man in saffron robes, identified as Balaram Bose, has emerged as the face of defiance after standing firm against water cannons during a protest in Kolkata.

Bose participated in the demonstration seeking justice in the RG Kar rape-murder case. However, controversy surrounded his identity as the Trinamool Congress claimed he was actually Prabir Bose, a photographer with links to the BJP.

The protest march had escalated into chaos as demonstrators clashed with police. The site was fortified with barricades, and riot-control measures, including water cannons, were used to disperse the crowd.

Though protesters failed to reach Nabanna, the image of the saffron-clad sadhu standing against the water cannons went viral as a symbol of resistance against the Banerjee-led regime.

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani shared the viral video, highlighting the sadhu’s act of defiance with the caption, "The people rise against tyranny..."

In an interview with news agency ANI, the man seen in the viral Kolkata protest images identified himself as Balaram Bose.

He told ANI that he wanted an unbiased resolution to women's safety and called for swift justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Speaking again to India Today TV on Thursday, Bose reiterated his identity following allegations from the ruling Trinamool Congress that he was affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On being asked how he managed to brave the water canon and keep protesting, Balaram Bose said, "While taking part in the protests, I believed that we had to make our voices reach Nabanna. If I had to. I would have died. It was my mantra to get my voice to the Nabanna".

He said the decision to raise his voice was inspired by Guru Aurobindo Ghosh. "One of the great Gurus I follow is Aurobindo Ghosh. He had said, ‘If you really want to do something, do it. Else, die,’" Bose told news agency ANI.

On Trinamool Congress’s allegations that ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ was organised with a political agenda, under the garb of a protest march against the RG Kar rape-murder of the trainee doctor, Balram said, "There was a call by the students to join and deliver the message of the protest to the government. It was said that one individual from every household should join it. I have women, sisters, and a daughter in my home too. So, we should be concerned for their safety. Following that, I joined the protests".

"It was a calling from my soul that prompted me to join the march to Nabanna," he told India Today TV.

The image of Bose's act of gripping his wrist became a powerful symbol of dissent garnering sweeping attention on social media.

Recollecting it, he revealed, "I was gesturing to the police about breaking free from the slavery that policemen follow in an autocratic system. I was telling them to leave behind the handcuffs and join us in our march to Nabanna or use water cannons with such force that we all got washed away."

"I represent the girls who are raped every day," he added.

I am a Sanatani, a Lord Shiv devotee...I don't want any political party to influence or divert this agitation. We want justice and nothing else..." Bose added.

"It was a calling from my soul that prompted me to join the march to Nabanna," he told India Today TV.

Bose's act of gripping his wrist became a powerful symbol of dissent, garnering sweeping attention on social media.

Recollecting it, he revealed, "I was gesturing to the police about breaking free from the slavery that policemen follow in an autocratic system. I was telling them to leave behind the handcuffs and join us in our march to Nabanna or use water cannons with such force that we all got washed away."

"I represent the girls who are raped every day," he added.

“I am a Sanatani, a Lord Shiv devotee...I don't want any political party to influence or divert this agitation. We want justice and nothing else..." Bose was quoted as saying by India Today.

Reacting to the claims by the Trinamool Congress of his political links, Bose revealed, "We don't want this kind of politics. Without being politically partisan, everyone should sit down with everyone and have a proper discussion. But they have no desire to sit and talk."

Following the viral spread of the sadhu's visual, West Bengal's Trinamool Congress accused him of being a BJP member.

A page called 'Trinamool Supporters' posted, "He is a member of the BJP".

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose also made the same allegation.

"The sadhu at the @BJP4India's Kolkata mob violence turns to be a photographer named Prabir Bose wearing a religious costume. He's also a @BJP4India member. What a JOKE," Ghose, the party's deputy leader in the Upper House posted on X.

Tofajjal Sk, a TMC member from Murshidabad, posted similar claims on X. He shared a collage of social media posts and profiles to suggest that the sadhu was linked to the BJP and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).