The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following her remarks regarding the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur, drawing parallels to past incidents to highlight what they claim is a recurring issue of women's safety in the state. The BJP's reaction comes after Banerjee stated that girls "should not be allowed" to go outside college at night. She also questioned the institution for allowing the student to be out at 12:30 a.m.. Banerjee called the incident "shocking" and assured that no accused would be spared, while also pointing out the college's responsibility to ensure security within and around its campus.

Union Minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar, in a post on X, stated that West Bengal has become a "safe haven for rapists and criminals" under Banerjee's rule. He referenced the previous rape of a young woman doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital, calling the Durgapur incident another horrifying crime. Majumdar further claimed that the state administration's "deliberate policy of appeasement has crippled police investigations, giving violent criminals a free hand".

BJP IT chief Amit Malviya echoed these sentiments, stating that the "brutal crime has triggered massive protests across Durgapur" and that "West Bengal is not safe for women". He also invoked the memory of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital case, where a lady doctor was raped and murdered, alleging a mishandling of the investigation by Kolkata Police under instructions.

The Durgapur incident involves a second-year medical student from Odisha's Balasore district, who was allegedly abducted outside the IQ City Medical College campus on Friday night. Reports indicate that she was taken to a nearby forest, raped, and had money demanded from her in exchange for her mobile phone. Police have initiated an investigation following a complaint from the student's family, with three people already arrested.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also expressed concern over the incident, condemning the gang rape and seeking Banerjee's intervention to ensure action against the perpetrators.

In response to the BJP's criticism, West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja urged against politicizing the crime and expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation. However, the BJP remains firm in its stance, with Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, criticizing the role of the West Bengal Commission for Women and stating that no arrests had been made despite the FIR registration.

Banerjee's comments regarding the incident have been met with widespread criticism, with many accusing her of victim-blaming. Her suggestion that girls should not be allowed out at night has been deemed insensitive and insulting to women. Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, has even called for Banerjee's resignation following her remarks.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a report from West Bengal police on the Durgapur medical student gangrape case within five days.