Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has publicly criticised senior party colleagues Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra over their controversial remarks on the Kolkata law student gangrape case, stating that misogyny in India “cuts across party lines”, but what sets TMC apart is its willingness to call out such statements.
“Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates @AITCofficial is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them,” Moitra posted on X, tagging the party’s official handle.
Her remarks came a day after the TMC officially distanced itself from comments made by Banerjee and Mitra in connection with the gangrape of a 24-year-old woman at South Calcutta Law College, which has led to public outrage and renewed debate over women’s safety on campuses.
TMC distances itself from remarks
In a statement, the party said, “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.”
Banerjee responded sharply, accusing the party of moral inconsistency. “Completely disagree with the post made by @AITCofficial on X. Are they indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals? Mere academic statements won’t bring any real change unless immediate action is taken against those leaders directly responsible,” he wrote on X.
He went on to claim, “What’s even more unfortunate is that some of the leaders who emerged after 2011 are themselves under question in such crimes.”
Banerjee had earlier drawn criticism for suggesting that women must be cautious about their male friends, and infamously questioned, “What can be done if a friend rapes his friend?”
Also read: RG Kar haunts Bengal again after Kasba law college gang-rape
Madan Mitra also sparked public outrage after implying that the victim might have avoided the incident had she not gone to college alone. Both remarks were condemned as victim-blaming by women’s rights groups and opposition leaders.
According to police, the main accused, Monojit Mishra (31), a former student and the organising secretary of the South Kolkata district unit of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad, has been arrested along with two current students, Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20). A college security guard has also been arrested in connection with the case.
Complaint details confinement and assault
The victim alleged that after going to fill out a test form on campus, she was confined to the union room. Mishra allegedly proposed to her and, upon her refusal, ordered the gate locked and made physical advances.
“I denied and fought back. I cried and asked him to let me go. I told them I have a boyfriend and I love my boyfriend. But he did not listen,” she told police.
She further alleged that Mishra struck her with a hockey stick, threatened to implicate her family, and later dragged her to a guardroom where the assault continued. “I touched his feet but he didn’t let me go,” she added, stating the other two accused watched as the incident unfolded.
The Alipore court remanded all three accused to police custody till 1 July. The incident has drawn parallels with previous crimes on campuses in Kolkata, including the 2024 rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College.
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