TMC Leaders’ Remarks on Kolkata Gang Rape Spark Outrage; Party Issues Denial

MC MLA Madan Mitra has sparked outrage after he made controversial remarks about the gang rape of a law student at South Calcutta Law College. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mitra suggested that the incident could have been avoided if the student had taken certain precautions. “This incident has sent a message to girls that 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,” he said.

As reported by the Hindu, He further added, “If she had informed someone before going or had taken a couple of friends with her, then this wouldn’t have happened. The one who committed this dirty deed took advantage of the situation.”

A day earlier, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee had made a similar remark, saying, “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?”

Following widespread criticism, the Trinamool Congress issued a statement disassociating itself from the remarks made by both leaders. “The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College were made 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,” the party posted on X.

However, the matter escalated further when Banerjee publicly disagreed with the party’s statement and questioned whether TMC was indirectly supporting those shielding the accused. “I completely disagree with the post made by @AITCofficial 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,” he said on X.

Madan Mitra also responded, claiming that his statements were being misinterpreted to malign the image of the party. “My statement has been totally misled and misused by a motivated group whose basic intention was to malign the image of our party AITC by wrongly focusing my statement to serve their own purpose,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, medical and forensic examinations have reportedly confirmed the possibility of sexual assault, lending weight to the victim’s complaint filed with the Kasba Police Station. The National Commission for Women has also intervened in the matter and written to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, seeking a time-bound investigation into the case.