West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday voiced her profound shock regarding the horrific gang-rape of a medical student in Durgapur. However, she also pointedly questioned the role of the private institute where the victim studied, asking how she was allowed to be out late at night.
CM Questions College's Responsibility in Late-Night Incident
Addressing reporters, the Trinamool Congress supremo detailed her reaction to the brutal crime. She stated that the female student was enrolled in a private medical college and raised concerns about her being outside at 12:30 AM. Banerjee mentioned that, according to her information, the assault occurred in a forested area.
"I'm shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges should also take care of their students," Banerjee asserted. She emphasized a particular stance on safety, adding, "Especially, the girls should not be allowed to come outside at night-time. They have to protect themselves also." Her comments have sparked a fresh debate on victim-blaming versus institutional accountability in cases of violence against women.
Arrests Made, Investigation Ongoing
On the progress of the case, the Chief Minister provided an update, assuring that action was being taken. She confirmed that three individuals have already been arrested based on the survivor's statement. The police are actively searching for other potential suspects involved in the ghastly crime. Banerjee gave assurances that the guilty parties would face strict and severe punishment under the law.
Drawing Parallels with Crimes in Other States
In her remarks, Mamata Banerjee also broadened the scope of the discussion to include recent incidents of crimes against women in other Indian states. She specifically mentioned Odisha, which is the home state of the victim, alongside Manipur and Bihar.
"Such incidents in other states are also condemnable. In Manipur, you have seen so many. Bihar — you have seen so many. Odisha — you have seen so many. Their governments should also take stringent action," she stated. This attempt to contextualize the Durgapur case within a national pattern of violence has drawn significant attention.
The brutal gang-rape in Durgapur has tragically evoked memories of another shocking crime in West Bengal's medical community. It recalls the horrific incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College in August last year, where a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered. That case triggered nationwide outrage, and the prime accused, a civic police volunteer named Sanjay Roy, was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in January.
The current case in Durgapur has once again put the spotlight on the critical issues of women's safety, the responsibility of educational institutions towards their students, and the effectiveness of law enforcement in preventing and prosecuting such heinous crimes.
