‘If she hadn’t gone there...’ TMC leader’s remarks stir outrage in Kolkata rape case

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MLA Madan Mitra has drawn sharp criticism after appearing to partly blame a rape survivor for the crime committed against her.

His remarks come at a time when the party is facing backlash over the alleged rape of a 24-year-old law student in South Calcutta Law College.

‘If she gadn’t gone there...’

Commenting on the incident, TMC MLA Madan Mitra said, “If the girl had not gone there, this incident would not have happened. If she had told someone where she was going, and taken a couple of friends with her, it would not have happened. The people who committed the crime took advantage of the situation.”

Mitra’s statement has been met with widespread condemnation, particularly as it appears to shift part of the blame onto the survivor.

The controversy was further stoked by TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who appeared to downplay the incident while discussing issues of accountability.

“What can be done if a friend rapes his friend? Will the police be in schools? This was done by students to another student. Who will protect her (the survivor)? Who does all this criminality and molestation? Some men do it. So, who should women fight against? Women should fight against these perverted men,” Banerjee said.

He added, “I am saying the same thing again and again. Whoever has done it must be arrested immediately. But if a friend rapes a friend, how can that be corruption? The condition of safety and security is the same everywhere. As long as the mindset of men remains this way, these incidents will keep occurring.”

TMC responds

The Trinamool Congress issued an official statement distancing itself from both Madan Mitra and Kalyan Banerjee’s comments.

“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. These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever,” the party said.

“Our stance remains resolute; we have zero tolerance for crimes against women and demand the strictest possible punishment for all those involved in this heinous crime,” it added.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra also weighed in, stating that misogyny is a systemic problem in Indian politics but insisted that her party handles it differently.

“Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates @AITCofficial is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them,” she posted on X.

Survivor allegedly attacked on college premises

The survivor, a 24-year-old student, was allegedly raped on Wednesday inside the South Calcutta Law College, located in the Kasba area of Kolkata.

According to police, she was attacked by 31-year-old Monojit Mishra, a former student of the college who now practises law. Two other students, Zaib Ahmed, 19, and Pramit Mukhopadhyay, 20, along with a security guard, have also been arrested in connection with the case.