TMC disowns netas’ ‘misogynistic remarks’, BJP takes to streets over ‘safety & security of women’
Times of India | 29 June 2025
Kolkata: The political slugfest following the alleged gang rape of a law student inside a south Kolkata college continued on Saturday as Trinamool took pains to distance itself from the "misogynistic remarks" of its own netas, emphasising the "quick action taken against the accused". The opposition, however, questioned security for women at workplaces and educational institutes and "promised to stay on the roads".
"The remarks by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same. We have zero tolerance for crimes against women and demand the strictest possible punishment for all those involved," TMC posted on X.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "From the CM to Abhishek Banerjee, our party has zero tolerance towards such instances. Police have apprehended three people and arrested one more on Saturday. Mobile phones were seized. The investigation is ongoing. We are clear about our stand — these beasts deserve the harshest punishment. But we will not be lectured by CPM or BJP, who have a long history of violence against women. "
The fresh controversy erupted following Kamarhati MLA Mitra's remark, where he claimed that the incident in Kasba "has sent a message to all girls, to all students that if someone you know calls you on a day when college is closed and exams are going on, saying they'll help with a unit project, don't go". On Friday, Kalyan had said, "If a friend rapes another friend, how will govt authorities provide protection in such cases?"
BJP staged a protest at Gariahat intersection, leading to clashes with police and traffic disruptions in south Kolkata. The demonstration, led by BJP state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, turned confrontational when police prevented the protesters from advancing beyond established barricades towards Kasba. Several BJP workers, including Majumdar and Jagannath Chattopadhyay, were detained.
Majumdar alleged there was "no security for women and they are not at all safe in Bengal". "We were here to protest the rising crimes against women. CM Mamata Banerjee must take responsibility for the incident," he said.
BJP president J P Nadda formed a four-member committee that will visit the state to investigate the matter. Biplab Kumar Deb and Manan Kumar Mishra, both MPs, and Satyapal Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, both former parliamentarians, are its members.
TMC responded by saying that "BJP's fact-finding team, when it comes to Bengal, must visit and meet the victim who has been raped and assaulted by Kartik Maharaj". Maharaj has been named as an accused in a rape case lodged in Murshidabad.
Amid the protests, a comment by BJP's Asansol South MLA Agnimitra Paul also created a stir. "We don't want CBI, we want this police to investigate. Mamata Banerjee's police, whose salaries are paid with your and my tax money, will investigate. Let the truth come out," she said, claiming that "CBI was unsuccessful in the RG Kar rape-murder case".
Paul later told TOI: "I, as an individual, am saying that I don't want CBI. If we need CBI for every case, what is the utility of state police?"
Reacting to this, Majumdar said: "This is not our party's stand. This is her personal opinion. "
Trinamool was fast in its response. "Interestingly, she has now placed her trust in @WBPolice and @KolkataPolice for ensuring the safety and security of women. Well Madam, good to see reality finally sinking in!" the party posted.
Meanwhile, CPM said its protests would continue till "women in Bengal are safe". Party state secretary Md Salim said the "gang rape" of a student, allegedly by a former TMCP leader, had once again exposed the image of "TMC's evil rule in the state". The Joint Doctors' Forum and Abhaya Mancha have jointly called a protest rally on Sunday from 8 pm. The rally will start at Gariahat and end at Hazra.