Two days after a 24-year-old student was allegedly raped at a law college in Kolkata, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Kamarhati, Madan Mitra, on Saturday said that the incident “could have been avoided if the victim had not gone or taken friends along with her.”
“If that girl had not gone, this would not have happened,” Mitra told mediapersons on Saturday, adding, “If she had informed someone or taken two friends along, this could have been avoided.”
Later the same day, the TMC said controversial remarks by two of its leaders –Mitra and MP Kalyan Banerjee– were made in their “personal capacities”. The party, in its official statement on X, said it disassociates and strongly condemns the same.
“The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same. These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever. Our stance remains resolute; we have zero tolerance for crimes against women and demand the strictest possible punishment for all those involved in this heinous crime,” the post read.
Mitra, however, also condemned the crime, calling it “heinous” and said the party would not spare anyone who is found guilty. “I have no words strong enough to condemn it. The party will not spare anybody involved in this crime,” he said.
Mitra sought to clarify his remarks and said, “This incident should serve as a message to girls — if someone calls you when the college is closed…don’t go. Nothing good can come of it… The person who did this took advantage of the situation…”
Mitra also claimed that the arrested prime accused was no longer associated with the TMC. “TMC is a big party. There are people everywhere who claim to be associated with TMC. We get our photos clicked with everyone — but what’s inside a person, only a psychologist can tell. People take photos with TMC leaders and then start calling themselves TMC leaders too.”
Earlier, Banerjee also triggered a controversy with his remarks, saying, “Police can’t be deployed at every college. Male colleagues should stay alert and protect their female colleagues. Some perverted people are committing these crimes. Strong action should be taken against them…”