TMC MLA sparks outrage over remarks on Kolkata law student gangrape case; party distances Itself
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A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal following the remarks made by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Madan Mitra regarding the alleged gangrape of a law student inside the South Calcutta Law College on June 25.
Mitra’s statement, perceived as victim-blaming, has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum and led to a show cause notice from his own party.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mitra said, “If that girl had not gone [to the site of the incident], this would not have happened. If she had informed someone or taken two friends along, this could have been avoided.”
He described the crime as “heinous” and said the party would take strict action against those found guilty.
The TMC swiftly condemned Mitra’s remarks, calling them “uncalled for and insensitive.”
On Sunday, the party issued a show cause notice, demanding an explanation within three days. TMC state president Subrata Bakshi stated the comments were not aligned with the party’s stance.
The alleged assault occurred between 7:30 PM and 10:50 PM on the college campus. Three men — Manojit Mishra (30), Pramit Mukherjee (20), and Zaib Ahmed (19) — have been arrested and remanded to police custody for four days.
Mitra also claimed that Mishra, the prime accused, was no longer affiliated with the TMC, despite images circulating on social media showing him with senior party leaders. “TMC is a big party,” Mitra said. “There are people everywhere who claim to be associated with TMC. We get our photos clicked with everyone – but what’s inside a person, only a psychologist can tell.”
He further added, “People take photos with TMC leaders and then start calling themselves TMC leaders too.”
The controversy deepened after another TMC MP, Kalyan Banerjee, made comments that appeared to shift responsibility onto the victim. “What can be done if a friend rapes his friend?” Banerjee asked, while advising women to be cautious around people with “dirty mindsets.”
In response, the TMC issued a public statement disassociating itself from the views expressed by both Mitra and Banerjee. “These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever,” it said. “Our stance remains resolute; we have zero tolerance for crimes against women and demand the strictest possible punishment for all those involved in this heinous crime.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticised the statements. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s West Bengal unit, accused the TMC of shielding associates of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew. “Let it sink in: No woman is safe from these TMC predators,” Malviya said, adding, “Mamata Banerjee isn’t just complicit – she is the problem.”
The BJP also referenced past controversies, sharing Mitra’s remarks on X and stating, “From questioning the character of the rape victim in Park Street Rape case to a new low!” It further alleged that the government’s stance resembles earlier statements made after the RG Kar Medical College case, implying that “no women should go out alone or work at night in West Bengal.”
This recent case comes just ten months after the shocking rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in August 2024, which triggered widespread protests across medical institutions in the state.
