‘Touched my hair, even threw things’: RG Kar victim’s mother faces female voter backlash in Panihati

Panihati: High-voltage drama unfolded in Panihati on Wednesday after the mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, now a BJP candidate, alleged that she was targeted and nearly attacked during a door-to-door campaign.

Ratna Debnath, contesting from the Panihati Assembly constituency, claimed that a group of women, allegedly Trinamool Congress supporters, confronted her while she was campaigning in Ward No. 6 on Harimohan Chatterjee Road. The situation quickly escalated, triggering chaos in the area.

Speaking to the media, Debnath said, “When I was campaigning, some women were shouting ‘Jai Bangla’ slogans. Initially, they did not attack me. But when I returned through another lane, a group of miscreants and ASHA workers came right in front of me, raised slogans, and tried to hit me.”

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She further alleged that objects were thrown at her. “They threw flowers at me. Some touched my hair, but my workers were hit,” she said, claiming that the incident was not spontaneous but a planned attempt to intimidate her.

The BJP was quick to react, calling the episode a “pre-planned conspiracy” by the Trinamool Congress to disrupt their candidate’s campaign.

Party leaders alleged that such incidents reflect growing intolerance and fear among ruling party workers ahead of the elections. 

However, the Trinamool Congress strongly denied the allegations. Party candidate from Panihati, Tirthankar Ghosh, dismissed the claims and offered a counter-narrative.

“I have said before, I will not comment on Kakima (auntie), and I maintain that. However, some outsiders told people that Lakshmir Bhandar scheme would be stopped. That angered local women,” he said. 

Ghosh also claimed that video evidence shows men mishandling women during the commotion. “I have seen visuals where men were pushing women aside. That should also be looked into,” he added.

The incident has added a fresh political flashpoint to the already charged atmosphere surrounding the RG Kar rape and murder case, which has significantly influenced the state’s political discourse.

Debnath, who entered politics shortly after her daughter’s death, said her decision was driven by anger and frustration. “My daughter never liked politics, but after her death, the way political parties are using her tragedy as a campaign tool has left me deeply disturbed,” she said.

With tensions flaring in Panihati, the episode underscores how emotionally charged narratives are now intersecting with electoral battles in West Bengal.