The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is sharply criticizing leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over their remarks regarding the recent Kolkata gangrape case, accusing the TMC of "institutionalizing misogyny". This follows controversial statements made by TMC leaders in the wake of the alleged gang rape of a law student in Kolkata. The BJP has accused the TMC of insensitivity and of creating a culture of impunity that enables crimes against women.
The controversy began after a 24-year-old law student reported being gang-raped inside the South Calcutta Law College on June 25. Following the incident, TMC leaders made statements that were widely condemned as insensitive and victim-blaming. Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra suggested that the incident could have been avoided if the victim had not gone to the college alone. He said, "If the girl hadn't gone there alone, this wouldn't have happened. She should have taken friends, informed her parents, or notified party workers". Mitra has since offered an unconditional apology to the party leadership for his remarks. TMC state president Subrata Bakshi issued a show-cause notice to Mitra, calling his remarks "unsolicited, unnecessary and insensitive" and stating that they had damaged the party's image.
Another TMC leader, state irrigation minister Manas Bhuniya, downplayed the incident, referring to it as a "small" one. In a video shared by the BJP, Bhuniya said, "When they look at Bengal, even if there is a small incident they say 'gaya gaya gaya re', what a destruction. Incidents happen, it happens in everyone's families, husband kills a wife choking her with a pillow, wife goes on a trip with her lover and pushes the husband off a cliff. These are the crisis of the society". Bhuniya later clarified that his words were misrepresented and that he condemned the incident.
The BJP has reacted strongly to these statements. BJP leaders have accused the TMC of normalizing sexual violence and protecting party loyalists. Amit Malviya, BJP's co-incharge for West Bengal, accused the TMC of "normalising rape to earn brownie points" from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. BJP MP Bhola Singh criticized the TMC for blaming the victim instead of taking action. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul called Bhuniya's remarks "shameless" and said they exposed the TMC's "true mindset towards women". BJP MP Sambit Patra claimed the crime was state-sponsored and politically motivated, linking the accused to the Trinamool Congress student wing. He questioned the "insensitivity and cruelty towards women" in a state led by a female Chief Minister. The BJP formed a committee to investigate the incident.
The BJP's response has included protests and demands for the resignation of the Chief Minister. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar claimed that the main accused was an active student leader of Trinamool Congress and had associations with top ruling party leaders. The BJP has also shared photos of the accused with TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee's nephew. TMC leader Shashi Panja has urged the opposition not to politicize the tragedy and defended the swift police action, stating that all three accused were arrested within 12 hours of the complaint.
Other political figures have also weighed in on the issue. TMC MP Mahua Moitra condemned the "misogynistic remarks" made by TMC leaders. Congress MP Imran Masood criticized the BJP's probe committee, calling it unnecessary and emphasizing that the case is "not a matter of politics".
The Kolkata Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the gangrape case. Three accused, reportedly affiliated with Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the TMC's student wing, have been arrested.
The gangrape and the subsequent reactions have ignited a political firestorm in West Bengal. The BJP is attempting to capitalize on the situation by portraying the TMC as insensitive to women's safety and as fostering a culture of impunity. The TMC, meanwhile, is trying to distance itself from the controversial remarks and emphasize the swift action taken by the police. The incident has also sparked broader debates about women's safety, victim-blaming, and the responsibility of elected officials in shaping public discourse.
