A major controversy has erupted in West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks over the alleged gangrape of a Durgapur medical student triggered a political storm.
While speaking to the media on Sunday, Mamata questioned how the girl was allowed to leave the campus at night, as she tried to blame the college's security and partially held the college administration responsible for the crime.
"She was studying in a private medical college. Whose responsibility is it? How did she come out at 12.30 at night? Especially girl children at night time... they should not be allowed to come outside. They have to protect themselves as well,” the chief minister said.
Mamata’s remarks drew sharp condemnation from the BJP leadership, who held a massive protest on Sunday. The party’s state president, Samik Bhattacharya alleged that the TMC has ‘no accountability regarding women’s safety.’
The survivor is a resident of Odisha. She is a second-year MBBS student at a private medical college in Paschim Bardhaman district.
On October 10, the 23-year-old had reportedly gone out with her friends when she was abducted and gangraped by unidentified men.
The West Bengal police have arrested three men, including one of the classmates of the girl. Police have intensified efforts to arrest the others involved in the crime.
Meanwhile, the girl’s father has requested the Odisha government to shift her to Bhubaneswar for treatment, citing a threat to her life.
This is not the first time that the TMC government has courted controversy over women’s safety.
On August 9, 2024, after the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College, the West Bengal government issued an advisory minimising night duty for women. The advisory was later removed.
