The brutal rape of a 24-year-old law student in a Kolkata college has ignited political turmoil within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), exposing sharp internal fissures as party leaders publicly clash over controversial remarks made in the aftermath of the incident.
The student was allegedly raped by 31-year-old Manojit Mishra, an alumnus and active member of the TMC youth wing, inside the college union room on June 25. Two other accused, Promit Mukherjee and Zaid Ahmed, both believed to be current students, were also arrested for allegedly filming the assault to later blackmail the victim. The college guard has also been taken into custody.
As public outrage intensified, senior TMC leaders made comments widely condemned as victim-blaming. Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee questioned the feasibility of ensuring student safety: “If a friend rapes a friend, how can you ensure security?” he asked. Similarly, MLA Madan Mitra remarked that the crime would not have occurred had the victim avoided the college after hours.
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These statements drew widespread condemnation, including sharp criticism from within the party. Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra labelled the remarks “disgusting” and highlighted that TMC differs from other parties by openly denouncing such views, regardless of the individual. Moitra’s comments triggered a personal attack from Banerjee, who took aim at her recent wedding to former BJD MP Pinaki Misra, accusing her of “breaking a family” and alleging she returned from her honeymoon only to target him.
In response to the growing controversy, the TMC officially distanced itself from the statements made by Banerjee and Mitra, asserting that these were personal opinions and do not reflect the party’s stance. “We unequivocally disassociate ourselves from their statements and strongly condemn the same,” the party said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), reiterating its commitment to zero tolerance for crimes against women.
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The incident, which follows a similarly shocking rape-murder case in Kolkata ten months ago, presents a significant challenge for the Mamata Banerjee-led government ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. The BJP has seized the moment to escalate its criticism, with senior leader Amit Malviya branding the TMC as a “party of rape-sympathisers.”
The public spat has added to the discomfort of TMC leadership already wary of infighting—an issue that has surfaced repeatedly in recent months. As the party braces for intense political battles, the fallout from this horrific crime may have lasting political ramifications.
