Suvendu Adhikari Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Remarks on Durgapur Gangrape Case: “Shame, Mamata Banerjee, Shame”

BJP accuses West Bengal CM of victim-blaming; Mamata says media “distorted” her words

Purba Medinipur, West Bengal | October 13 — A political storm erupted in West Bengal after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on the Durgapur gangrape case drew sharp criticism from Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari, who accused her of blaming women instead of ensuring their safety.

Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said,

“The Chief Minister has made it clear that it is not right for women to go out of their homes at night and every daughter-sister should arrange for her own security. Shame, Mamata Banerjee, shame.”

Mamata Banerjee’s comments spark outrage

The controversy began when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee commented on the incident, advising private colleges to restrict girls from going out at night.

“I’m shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges also should take care of their students, and especially girls. The girls should not be allowed to go outside the college at night. They have to protect themselves also. There is a forest area. Police are searching all the people,” Banerjee said.

Her comments triggered widespread backlash on social media, with opposition parties and women’s rights groups accusing her of insensitive victim-blaming.

CM claims her statement was misinterpreted

Following criticism, Mamata Banerjee clarified her remarks, claiming that her words had been distorted by the media.

“The media distorted my words. You ask me a question, I answer it, and then you twist it. Do not try this kind of politics,” she said during a visit to Alipurduar.

The Durgapur gangrape case

The shocking crime took place in Durgapur, where a second-year medical student was allegedly gangraped by her classmates.

According to the victim’s father, the student — who hails from Jaleswar, Odisha — was taken out by one of her classmates under the pretext of getting food. A group of men then allegedly raped her, after which the classmate fled the scene.

Police have arrested three accused, who were remanded to 10 days’ police custody by a local court on Sunday.

Political war intensifies

The incident has sparked massive political outrage. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of failing to protect women in the state, while the ruling party alleged that the BJP was trying to politicise a sensitive issue.

Adhikari demanded strict punishment for the culprits and said the government must be held accountable for West Bengal’s deteriorating law and order situation.

Women’s groups across the state have also condemned the CM’s remarks and called for greater institutional accountability instead of moral restrictions on women.