Just as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was celebrating Kolkata’s recognition as the “Safest City” for the fourth consecutive year, based on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, two back-to-back alleged incidents of rape — one of an engineering student in Kolkata and another of a medical student in Paschim Bardhaman — has yet again brought the spotlight back on the safety of Women in West Bengal.

The recent incidents provided fresh ammunition to the Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, which launched a coordinated attack over the issue of law and order in the state, in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.

The NCRB data, which is compiled under the Union Home Ministry, named Kolkata as India’s safest city, recording the lowest rate of cognisable offences (83.9 per lakh population) among 19 major metropolitan areas in 2023.

The TMC, particularly state minister Firhad Hakim and party national spokesperson Saket Gokhale — used this data to aggressively counter the BJP’s allegations of lawlessness in the state, with Gokhale attributing the achievement to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s “strong and decisive leadership”.

But this narrative of safety was undermined by the recent events. Last Wednesday, a 21-year-old engineering student from Jharkhand filed a case in Kolkata against her classmate for allegedly raping her. Just two days later, a second-year medical student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped near the campus of her private medical college in Paschim Bardhaman when she had gone out for dinner.

On Sunday, the situation escalated following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s reaction to the Paschim Bardhaman incident. The CM said, “How did she come out at 12.30 at night?” suggesting the girl should not have been out so late, deflecting the responsibility on the college. The comment drew immediate and heavy political backlash, for allegedly trying to evade the government’s responsibility to ensure security.

The CM, however, clarified that her statement on the incident was “deliberately distorted”.

On Monday, the BJP staged state-wide protests, targeting the TMC’s governance and the alleged worsening law and order situation.

Calling CM Mamata Banerjee “mahila birodhi” (anti-women), the party wrote on X, “Girls should not be allowed to go outside at night. Yes, you heard that right. This statement is not made by an ordinary citizen, but by the Woman Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. This is not the first time she has blamed the victim in cases of sexual assault or dismissed such incidents as “sajano ghatana” (fabricated events). From Park Street to Kamduni, RG Kar, Hanskhali, Sandeshkhali and now (Paschim Bardhaman), it is the victim who has been blamed by Mamata Banerjee. Look at what she has done to West Bengal, a state that was once known for its progress and forward thinking!…”

“Mamata’s regime has normalised rape and sexual assault on women. Bengalis will answer her atrocities by uprooting her regime soon,” it added.

The CPM also joined the issue, with state secretary Mohammad Salim posting on X, “Is there a Taliban rule in West Bengal? Women can’t walk freely at night, they can’t go out for a job…WB police completely botched up the investigation, protecting the criminals…Their mentality and thought process are completely at odds with the ideology of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Vidya Sagar…Men and Women are equal, does the Mamata government accept this or not?… Women of all ages are feeling insecure in West Bengal right now…Police and law & order have collapsed in Bengal…”

Reacting to the Opposition’s attacks, TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh posted on X, “It is deeply regrettable that the @BJP4India has chosen to play coarse low level politics over crimes against women. Facts. 1) 3 (Paschim Bardhaman) suspects have been arrested WITHIN 24 hours of complaint. 2) Bengal CM @MamataOfficial has assured swift and strict justice 3) ZERO TOLERANCE for crimes against women in Bengal. 4) There is NO QUESTION of victim shaming, our hearts go out to the victim and family as we stand in full solidarity with the victim. The CM emphasised in her statement the need for private institutions to ensure high levels of night safety protocols. 5) According to the Centre’s own figures, Bengal is one of the safest states for women. Dear @BJP4India stop playing dirty politics…”

Pointing to the purported higher rate of crime in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, the TMC wrote on X, “In @BJP4India-ruled Uttar Pradesh, a 16-year-old Dalit schoolgirl was assaulted by multiple men in broad daylight. Eight days later, there is still no outrage, no accountability, no word from those who never fail to shout ‘Beti Bachao’ before every election. What does this silence say about a government that claims to stand for women’s dignity? From Hathras to Unnao, from one forgotten name to another, crimes multiply, compassion disappears, and justice moves only when outrage forces it to. This is a moral collapse. Uttar Pradesh today reflects what happens when power replaces empathy and politics replaces conscience.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha said, “The NCRB data is based on the cases registered by police. How will actual data reflect in its data in a state where the government does not recognise and register cases? Such incidents have been taking place for 14 years. Look at the CM’s statements — right from the Park Street episode till the latest one. She never stands with the victims and instead supports the perpetrators.”