The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is struggling with internal conflict. Its senior leaders gave controversial statements about the gang rape of a law student at South Calcutta Law College.
MP Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks sparked outrage. Senior TMC MLA Madan Mitra added fuel to the fire. He suggested the incident might have been avoided. It could have been prevented if the victim had taken precautions.
Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
This incident has sent a message to girls. If someone calls you when the college is closed, don’t go. Nothing good will come of it. If that girl had not gone there, this incident wouldn’t have happened,” Mitra said.
“If she had informed someone before going, this wouldn’t have happened. Alternatively, if she had taken a couple of friends with her, this wouldn’t have occurred. The one who committed this dirty deed took advantage of the situation,” he added.
On Friday, Banerjee had commented, “If a friend rapes a friend, how can you ensure security? Will the police be there in schools? This was done by students to another student. Who will protect her [victim]?”
TMC Isloates from Statements
These comments have sparked outrage. The students are questioning how leaders can resort to victim blaming in such a sensitive situation. The party immediately distanced itself from these remarks with a post on X. “MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra made remarks concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College. They did so in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same. These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever.”
Mamta Banerjee, TMC chief, also clarified her position fiercely. Posting on X, she wrote, “I completely disagree with the post made by AITC official on X. Are they indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals? Mere academic statements won’t bring any real change unless immediate action is taken against those leaders directly responsible… I also wish to clearly distance myself from those who are encouraging or protecting these criminals.”
As people raised questions about the MLA’s statement, he also tried to defend himself, writing, “…my statement has been misinterpreted and misused by a motivated group. Their basic intention was to malign the image of our party AITC. They wrongly focused my statement to serve their own purpose.”
Slammed by party members
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday responded to the party’s decision. The party distanced itself from remarks made by its leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra over the Kolkata gangrape case. Taking to social media platform X, Moitra said that “misogyny in India cuts across party lines.” She added that the difference was that the TMC condemns “these disgusting comments no matter who makes them.”
BJP brings up RG Kar incident
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed outrage over the alleged gang rape of a law student inside a south Kolkata College. Pradhan asserted that Kolkata has a rich legacy in women’s education. He cited institutions like “RG Kar Medical College and South Calcutta Law College.” However, the state has witnessed a “rise in horrific crimes”, including the gang rape of the student.
Pradhan also alleged that the attackers were “goons associated with the ruling TMC.” He warned that the government’s silence reflects a “very dangerous mindset in a republic.” Pradhan called the TMC a modern extension of the “old Congress culture.” He demanded decisive political action. “They must be thrown out,” he stated. “Only then will peace return to Bengal.”
Responding to his statement, Former Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh gave a sharp rebuttal. “Tell Dharmendra Pradhan to talk about crimes against women in places like Unnao, Hathras, Prayagraj, and Delhi first. He should address these issues. Police take action in West Bengal. Social crimes have lessened in the state. This is the safest state for women.”
“Now, under the BJP’s rule, how long will the list of crimes against women grow? These people have come here only to take notes where the police have already taken action. We have condemned the incident in the town. The Chief Minister is here, the police have acted, arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The victim’s family has full trust in the process. Yet, these people have come to pretend and interfere with the police’s work,” Ghosh said.
The Case in question
According to the police complaint filed by the survivor, a law student was lured into a guard’s room adjacent to the student union office, where she was allegedly sexually assaulted by three men. The accused have been identified as Monojit Mishra, a 31-year-old former student and practising criminal lawyer, along with two current students—Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20). The survivor filed the FIR in the case on June 26, a day after the incident.
The survivor alleges that she was forcibly confined inside the room, where Mishra sexually assaulted her while the other two stood by and assisted. In her statement, she recounts being struck on the head with a hockey stick, denied access to an inhaler during a panic attack, and threatened with death if she dared to speak out.
A medical examination corroborated her account. Doctors documented signs of physical assault. This included bite marks, scratches, and evidence consistent with forced penetration. All three accused have been arrested and remanded to police custody for four days as the investigation continues.
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