Durgapur: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came under sharp criticism for remarks following the alleged gang rape of a second-year MBBS student from Odisha. The victim was attacked while returning from a study session late at night.
Banerjee questioned why the girl was out at night, suggesting that young women should not be allowed to move freely after dark. Her comments sparked widespread outrage, with civil society groups and political leaders condemning the statement as victim-blaming and insensitive.
The victim’s father strongly rebuked the Chief Minister, stating that Bengal is unsafe for women and his daughter had every right to move freely. He demanded swift justice and accountability from the state authorities.
Opposition parties seized on the controversy to highlight perceived failures in the TMC government’s handling of women’s safety. Leaders pointed to prior incidents, including the Park Street and Hanskhali cases, as evidence of systemic lapses in law and order.
The remarks have reignited debates on gender rights, state responsibility, and public safety in West Bengal. Banerjee later claimed her comments were distorted, yet the backlash across political and media circles continued. Activists emphasized that discussions on crime must focus on perpetrators and preventive measures rather than restricting women’s freedoms.
