The storm over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement on the Durgapur rape case is causing quite the uproar. She questioned the victim's presence outdoors at 12:30 AM. This is not the first time her comments on rape cases stirred controversy, irrespective of circumstances.
Mamata Banerjee advised girls not to step out at night, leaving many shocked. It's not just the opposition that disagrees. Furthermore, she defended her statement in the Durgapur case. However, the entire opposition remains stern in their dissension.
From the RG Kar rape-murder case to Sandeshkhali and Nadia incidents, Mamata Banerjee's statements and actions have faced scrutiny—significantly during the RG Kar case when she staged a separate protest and confronted the opposition aggressively.
Her stance reminds people of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, raising questions about why the victim is often questioned. At least from a woman Chief Minister, such expectations are disappointing.
A second-year student in a private medical college in Durgapur was gang-raped. The student, hailing from Odisha, had gone out for dinner with a friend. The police have arrested all five accused and are questioning the student’s friend, who allegedly fled the scene. According to the student's father, some individuals followed and attacked them. The attackers abducted and raped her. The father suspects the student's friend might also be involved, expressing concern for her safety. He fears she might harm herself and wants her moved to a safe place like Bhubaneswar.
Mamata Banerjee, responding to the incident, stressed hostel students, especially from outside West Bengal, should adhere to rules and avoid venturing out late. In the media, she remarked, 'The girl studies in a private medical college—it's the college's responsibility... How was she out at 12:30 AM? This incident occurred in a forested area... I'm unsure of the facts.'
As widespread opposition to her remarks grew, she clarified to a news agency that her words were misconstrued. “You ask questions, I answer them... then they're twisted... don't play politics with my words,” she argued.
In June 2025, during a gang rape case in Kolkata's Law College, Mamata Banerjee kept a distance, but similar sentiments were echoed by her party leaders. TMC leader Madan Mitra advised against being at college after hours, and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee noted if a friend rapes another, the government or police can’t ensure security everywhere.
Following the RG Kar case protests in August 2024, Mamata Banerjee led a demonstrative march for justice. It was reported that the case caused conflicts even with her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee.
In February 2024, Mamata Banerjee dismissed the Sandeshkhali rape case as minor, accusing BJP and the media of spreading false news—claiming complaints were politically motivated.
In April 2022, a minor died after attending a birthday party in Nadia district. Her family alleged gang rape, and a local Trinamool Congress leader was arrested. At the time, Mamata Banerjee questioned the timing of complaint registrations, which provoked a backlash.
In January 2025, amid national outrage over the RG Kar medical rape and murder case, Mamata Banerjee was accused of shielding Kolkata's police commissioner. While demands for a CBI investigation rose, Mamata Banerjee resisted. After the accused Sanjay Roy received life imprisonment, she expressed surprise, remarking it was a rare case deserving the death penalty. She argued if Kolkata Police had investigated, a death sentence could have been ensured, lamenting the CBI's involvement.
