Durgapur Gang Rape Case Sparks Political Firestorm: BJP Accuses Mamata of Turning Bengal into 'Safe Haven for Rapists'

The alleged gang rape of a medical student in Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal, has ignited a fierce political battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of failing to protect women and turning the state into a "safe haven for rapists and criminals".

The incident involves a second-year medical student from Odisha's Jaleswar, who was allegedly abducted near the IQ City Medical College in Durgapur on Friday night. According to police reports, three unidentified men took her to a nearby forest, where she was brutally assaulted and robbed.

The BJP's criticism has been led by Union Minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar, who stated that the incident, along with the previous rape of a young woman doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital, demonstrates the deteriorating safety situation for women in West Bengal. Majumdar asserted on social media that Banerjee's "deliberate policy of appeasement" has crippled police investigations and emboldened criminals. He further added that women are unsafe everywhere in the state, "from villages to cities, hospitals to homes".

Echoing Majumdar's sentiments, BJP IT chief Amit Malviya claimed that the Durgapur incident has triggered widespread outrage, with people demanding swift justice and accountability from the Banerjee government. Malviya declared that "West Bengal is not safe for women" and called for the TMC government to be held accountable, stating, "Mamata must go in 2026".

The BJP's accusations extend beyond this single incident, with leaders alleging a systemic failure of law and order under the TMC government. They claim that the administration's policies have created a "nightmare for women's safety" across the state.

In response to the BJP's charges, West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja urged the BJP not to politicize the crime. She asserted that the BJP views such incidents through a political lens, which she deemed unwarranted. Panja also expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation, stating that the victim is being cared for and that her parents have arrived from Odisha and have faith in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed serious concern over the incident and has appealed to Mamata Banerjee to take exemplary action against the accused. He has also directed senior officials to coordinate with the West Bengal government and provide all possible assistance to the victim's family.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken cognizance of the case, dispatching a team to Durgapur to meet with the survivor and her family. NCW member Archana Majumdar expressed concern over the rising crimes against women in Bengal and urged the Chief Minister to act decisively. The state health department has also sought a report from the private medical college where the student is enrolled.

The Durgapur gang rape case has escalated into a major political flashpoint, with the BJP intensifying its attacks on the Mamata Banerjee government over the safety and security of women in West Bengal. As investigations continue, the political fallout from this incident is likely to intensify in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.