West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come under fire after she questioned why the survivor of the alleged Durgapur Medical College gangrape case was “outside the campus at 12:30 am.” Her statement, made during a media interaction on Sunday, has drawn widespread criticism from the opposition and women’s rights activists, who have accused her of victim-blaming.
The survivor, a second-year medical student from Odisha, was allegedly raped on Friday night near the Durgapur medical college campus. Police have arrested five people in connection with the case.
What Mamata Banerjee Said
During her remarks, the Chief Minister expressed concern over private colleges allowing female students to be out late at night:
“She was studying in a private medical college… all private medical colleges are whose responsibility? How did they come out at night at 12:30? It happened, so far I know, in a forest area… investigation is on,” Banerjee said.
She further advised private institutions to ensure tighter student supervision, saying:
“They have to take care of their students, especially the girl child… they should not be allowed to come out at night. They have to protect themselves also.”
Banerjee’s statement was echoed by TMC MP Saugata Roy, who said the police “cannot provide security at every inch” and suggested women should avoid venturing out late at night.
What Actually Happened: Timeline of the Incident
Contrary to Banerjee’s reference to 12:30 am, multiple accounts — including from the survivor’s family and police complaint — suggest that the alleged assault occurred much earlier in the evening.
- According to the victim’s father, the family received a call from her classmates around 9:30 pm, informing them of the assault.
- The police complaint filed by the father, cited in NDTV’s report, places the attack at around 8 pm, when the student went out for dinner with a male friend.
- The survivor’s mother recounted that her daughter was followed by three men while walking outside the campus; when her friend fled, the men allegedly took her to a nearby forested area, where more assailants joined.
“One of them raped her and snatched her mobile. She was threatened that she would be killed if she shouted,” her mother said.
The survivor is currently under medical treatment, and police have detained the individuals named in the complaint for interrogation.
Political Reactions and Public Backlash
Mamata Banerjee’s remarks have ignited political outrage, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and women’s rights groups.
- Suvendu Adhikari, BJP’s Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, accused Banerjee of diverting attention from the government’s law and order failures, writing: “Victim shaming has become your state policy. You are blaming the woman for her trauma instead of ensuring justice.”
- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said if a BJP Chief Minister had made such a statement, the “liberal ecosystem” would have erupted in protest.
- BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj slammed Banerjee, saying, “She justifies rape by saying women shouldn’t go out late. The TMC has become synonymous with a regressive mindset.”
Women’s groups across India also criticized the Chief Minister’s comments as insensitive and patriarchal, arguing that such remarks reinforce dangerous stereotypes and discourage survivors from coming forward.
The Larger Debate
The controversy has reignited discussions around victim-blaming, women’s safety, and political accountability in West Bengal. Activists have called on the Chief Minister to focus on ensuring safety and swift justice instead of questioning the survivor’s actions.
As the investigation continues, Banerjee’s remarks have not only drawn political backlash but also sparked broader outrage among citizens who view her comments as undermining the seriousness of the crime.
The Durgapur case, coming after previous high-profile assaults in the state, has once again put the Trinamool Congress government under scrutiny over its handling of women’s safety issues.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
