The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has sparked a controversy following the gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur. Banerjee, reacting to the incident, stated that girls "should not be allowed" to go outside at night, prompting immediate backlash and accusations of victim-blaming.
The incident occurred on Friday night when a second-year MBBS student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped near the private medical college where she was studying. According to reports, the student had gone out with a male friend for dinner around 8:30 pm when the attack occurred. She was allegedly dragged to a secluded area behind the hospital building and raped.
Police have arrested three men in connection with the crime: Riyaz, Firdaus, and Oppu. Two other suspects remain at large. Authorities are investigating whether the accused were known to the victim or her friend, whose role is also under scrutiny. The arrested individuals have been remanded to 10-day police custody.
Banerjee's initial response to the gang rape has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport, she called the incident "shocking" and vowed that no accused would be spared. However, she also questioned why the student was out at 12:30 am and suggested that the college also bore responsibility for the incident. "The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also," she added.
These remarks were quickly condemned as victim-blaming and insensitive. Critics argued that instead of focusing on the perpetrators of the crime, Banerjee was placing blame on the victim for being out at night. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Banerjee of "victim-blaming" and demanded her resignation. Agnimitra Paul, a BJP MLA, called Banerjee's remark "shameful and regressive".
Facing the backlash, Banerjee later claimed that her comments were "distorted" by the media. She stated that she was also concerned about the college's responsibility in ensuring the safety of its students. "The media distorted my words. You ask me a question, I answer it, and then you distort it," she said. She also questioned why her government is targeted every time a rape incident occurs, referring to a similar incident in Odisha.
Meanwhile, the victim is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Durgapur. Her condition is said to be stable. The victim's father expressed his anguish and fear, stating he has lost faith in the system to protect his daughter. He also appealed to the Chief Minister to address the lack of security in the area. A team from the National Commission for Women (NCW) met with the student and has requested a detailed report from West Bengal authorities. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has urged Banerjee to take strong action against the accused.
