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Key Points

The BJP has strongly criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for what they call her habitual victim-blaming in rape cases. This comes after her recent remarks following the gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur, where she advised girls not to go out at night. BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya pointed to several past instances where Banerjee made controversial statements about rape survivors. The political confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between the BJP and Trinamool Congress over women's safety issues in West Bengal.

Key Points: BJP Slams Mamata Banerjee Victim Blaming in Durgapur Rape Case

  • BJP's Amit Malviya cites 2023 Hanskhali case where CM questioned if it was rape or love affair
  • Banerjee claimed rising rape cases due to men-women interacting more freely
  • CM dismissed 2012 Park Street gangrape as fabricated story initially
  • Banerjee advised girls not to go out at night after Durgapur medical student rape
2 min read

Mamata Banerjee is habitual of 'victim-blaming' in rape cases: BJP

BJP accuses West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of habitual victim-blaming after her remarks on Durgapur gang rape, citing past controversial statements.

"Time and again, Mamata Banerjee has chosen to question the victim instead of condemning the perpetrators. This is not politics -- this is perversion. - Amit Malviya"

Kolkata, Oct 12

Amid the controversial remarks by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday in the aftermath of the gang rape of a second-year medical student hailing from Odisha at Durgapur in West Burdwan district of West Bengal.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had described the Chief Minister as a person who is habitual in victim-blaming in such cases.

On Sunday afternoon, Chief Minister Banerjee, before leaving for North Bengal, told media persons in Kolkata that girls should not go outside at night.

Reacting to CM Banerjee's remarks, BJP's Information Technology Cell Chief and the party's central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, issued a social media post on Sunday afternoon citing examples of how the Chief Minister has resorted to victim-blaming in similar cases earlier.

According to Malviya, in 2023, a 14-year-old girl died after being raped by the son of a local Trinamool leader from Hanskhali in Nadia district, the Chief Minister raised a question whether the tragedy was "rape" or "pregnancy" or a "love affair".

He said that in 2012, the Chief Minister claimed that rape cases were rising across the country because men and women "interact more freely now", implying that victims were somehow responsible.

After the gangrape of a woman at Park Street in Kolkata in 2012, BJP leader Malviya said that Chief Minister Banerjee dismissed the case as a "fabricated story", discrediting a rape survivor, who had the courage to speak up later.

"Time and again, Mamata Banerjee has chosen to question the victim instead of condemning the perpetrators. This is not politics -- this is perversion," he claimed.

While advising that girls should not go outside their houses at night, the Chief Minister, earlier on Sunday, said that the police did not know with whom the girls were going out at night.

"In West Bengal, we have a zero-tolerance policy against such crimes. Students from outside come here to study. I would request them not to go out at night because the police don't get to know who is going out at night. The police cannot keep a watch on everyone by going to their doorstep. The private medical college also has a responsibility to take care of its students," Chief Minister Banerjee added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I don't support BJP's politics, they have a point here. Didi's comments are problematic. Victim-blaming has no place in our society. The focus should be on making public spaces safe for everyone.
A
Ananya R
As a woman living in Kolkata, I feel let down by such statements. We need our leaders to empower us, not restrict us. The problem is with criminals, not with women going out at night.
V
Vikram M
Both parties are playing politics over such serious issues. Instead of blaming each other, they should work together to improve law and order. The victim and her family deserve justice, not political drama.
S
Sarah B
I'm an expat living in Kolkata, and this mindset is concerning. In developed countries, the focus is always on punishing perpetrators, not restricting victims. India needs to adopt this approach too.
K
Karthik V
The real issue is that our system fails to deliver swift justice. If rapists were punished within months instead of years, such crimes would reduce significantly. Let's focus on judicial reforms.

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