TMC questions hurry in conducting SIR in Bengal, critical for rape-death of Maha doctor
The Statesman | 27 October 2025State minister Shashi Panja criticised the BJP for being emotionally bankrupt, that their leaders choose to ignore such a serious incident in a state ruled by their own party and its allies.
“When such an incident happens in Maharashtra, it is tragic, just as it would be if it happened in Bengal. But no one seems to be raising their voice in Maharashtra. No uproar, no outrage. We have not seen a single statement from the Maharashtra Chief Minister. Where is the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission? There has been no demand for the Chief Minister’s resignation either, something we always see in Bengal in similar cases,” said Shashi Panja.
She said that all those who raised their voices for Abhaya, why are they silent now? She stressed that whenever something happens in Bengal, immediate action is taken, and the perpetrators are arrested. However, in Maharashtra, instead of arresting the accused policemen, they have merely been suspended.
Slamming the BJP, the minister said their arrogance has grown so much that a Rajya Sabha member of the BJP, while in Lucknow, called sweepers “Bangladeshis” and branded them as extremists. Their leaders have also labelled farmers as extremists, she added.
On the SSKM incident and the follow-up measures by the government, Shashi Panja said a five-member enquiry committee has been formed. “They will identify who should be held responsible, and a detailed review is already underway. If you look at the trauma care building at SSKM, it’s a hotspot area, always crowded with people. In such a crowd, identifying a single individual isn’t easy. You’re talking about security, but if even more security is deployed in such a crowded space, won’t that create more chaos? Still, the perpetrator has been arrested, and he is not a hospital staff member. Necessary action is being taken. The victim and her parents have faith in the investigation. I would request everyone to refrain from politicising or distorting the issue,” said the minister at the Press conference.
On the issue of a TMC councillor threatening a medical professional in Islampur, Shashi Panja said: “If the public attacks a doctor, it’s unacceptable, but if someone in power shows arrogance or threatens someone, that too is unacceptable. Action will be taken against them as well.”
On SIR in state, she said there are a few points to note: First, the SIR report being mentioned from 2002–2003 took two years to complete, then why such a hurry to do it within three months? Second, the BJP keeps increasing the number of so-called infiltrators. “Let them identify exactly who they are referring to. In Bihar, 65 lakh voter deletions happened, but nowhere was it written that the reason was “Bangladeshi,” “Rohingya,” or “infiltrator.” That question remains. We have taken note of that. Third, every year the ECI conducts revisions and corrections to the electoral rolls. Has the BJP now discarded all of that? They should clarify this. If they claim everything since 2002–2003 has been wrong, then how were all elections held since then valid? And if those elections, including the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, were held on those same rolls, why can’t the 2026 Bengal Assembly Elections also be held on them?” wondered the minister.
