Mamata’s Victim-Blaming: Police Debunk 12:30 AM Claim in Durgapur Rape Case

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has triggered a political and social uproar with her comments on the alleged gang-rape of a second-year MBBS student at a private medical college in Durgapur, Paschim Bardhaman district. Addressing the media on Sunday, October 12, Banerjee questioned why the survivor was “outside the campus at 12:30 a.m.” and urged private colleges to restrict female students from leaving at night, remarks widely condemned as victim-blaming and factually inaccurate.

The incident occurred on Friday evening, October 10, involving a 23-year-old student from Jaleswar, Odisha, studying at IQ City Medical College. According to the police FIR filed by the survivor’s father, she went out with a male classmate around 7-8 p.m. for dinner. The police report states that three men followed them, and after her friend fled, the survivor was dragged to a nearby forested area where two additional assailants joined, committing the assault. Her mobile phone was snatched, and the perpetrators allegedly demanded ransom. Her parents were alerted by classmates around 9-9:30 p.m. that evening and arrived in Durgapur by Saturday morning, finding her hospitalized.

Banerjee’s claim that the incident occurred at 12:30 a.m. is unsupported by any official account. The survivor’s mother detailed that her daughter was coerced by her friend to leave the campus for food, only to be abandoned when pursued by the assailants, who threatened her life if she resisted. West Bengal Police have arrested three suspects—Sk Riaz Uddin, Sk Firdoush, and Appu Bauri—with two others detained for questioning, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the classmate’s role.

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In her Sunday address, Banerjee expressed shock at the “shocking” incident but emphasized institutional responsibility, stating, “She was studying in a private medical college... how they came out in the night at 12:30?... It happened, so far I know, in the forest area... investigation is on.” She added that private colleges must protect “the girl child” and prevent them from going out at night, concluding, “They have to protect themselves also.” Facing backlash, Banerjee later accused the media of distorting her intent, claiming her focus was on campus security.

The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari labeled them an “outdated medieval dictat,” writing on X, “Your words are an attempt to mask your failure as an Administrator. Victim Shaming has become your State Policy.” BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia called Banerjee a “blot on womanhood,” referencing prior incidents like RG Kar and Sandeshkhali, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju noted the potential for national outrage if a BJP chief minister made similar comments. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of promoting a “regressive mindset” that justifies rape by restricting women’s mobility.

Sovana Mohanty, Chairperson of the Odisha State Commission for Women, criticized Banerjee’s lack of empathy and urged stronger safety measures for women in West Bengal. The National Commission for Women has demanded a detailed police report within five days, and protests by BJP workers have erupted outside Durgapur’s police station, with calls for Banerjee’s resignation.

This controversy, following the 2024 RG Kar rape-murder case, underscores persistent concerns over gender-based violence and governance in West Bengal. As the investigation continues, the incident highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure women’s safety and sensitive public discourse.

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