Mamata Banerjee Blames Private College Security in Durgapur Rape Case, Sparks Fury from Opposition
West Bengal CM urges institutions to curb women’s night outings and appeals to outstation students for caution, as BJP and CPM decry her remarks as evasion of state’s crumbling law enforcement
Kolkata, October 12, 2025 – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ignited a fresh political row by pinning responsibility for the alleged rape of an MBBS student near a private medical college in Durgapur on the institution’s lax oversight, questioning how the victim could venture out at midnight. Facing backlash for what critics call victim-blaming, Banerjee defended her government’s swift response while drawing unflattering comparisons to crimes in other states, even as opposition parties demanded her resignation over the state’s alleged descent into anarchy.
The incident, which unfolded late last week, involved a female medical student reportedly assaulted in a wooded area adjacent to the college campus. Three suspects have been detained based on her account, with police launching a manhunt for any remaining perpetrators. Banerjee, speaking to reporters en route to North Bengal for flood assessments, expressed horror at the episode but quickly shifted focus to preventive measures. “This is appalling. But in a private setup, who ensures safety? How was she outside at 12:30 a.m.? From what I’ve gathered, it occurred in a forested spot. Probe is underway, and the culprits will face the harshest penalties,” she remarked.
Call for Stricter Campus Vigilance and Personal Prudence
Emphasizing institutional duties, Banerjee implored private medical schools to ramp up surveillance, especially for female pupils. “These colleges must prioritize student welfare. For girls, venturing out after dark should be off-limits. Bengal maintains a strict no-mercy policy on such offenses,” she asserted. Extending her advisory to non-local learners—a demographic prominent in medical hubs—she added, “I urge out-of-state students: Avoid nighttime jaunts. Freedom is vital, yet reality demands self-preservation. Cops can’t patrol every doorstep, particularly in remote zones.”
Banerjee highlighted her administration’s alacrity, noting chargesheets filed within weeks and even capital punishments handed down by trial courts. To counter accusations of laxity, she juxtaposed Bengal’s handling against recent assaults elsewhere: “Three weeks back, Odisha beaches saw similar horrors—what action followed? Or consider Manipur’s unrest, Uttar Pradesh gang cases, Bihar’s lapses. In those places, victims perish en route to justice, reporters face brutality. We act decisively here.”
Opposition’s Scathing Rebuttal: ‘Victim-Shaming in Sheeps’ Clothing’
The remarks drew immediate fire from rivals, who branded them a shameful abdication of governance. BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar took to social media, labeling Banerjee’s words “a brazen confession of disorder,” and insisted, “A female leader uttering this after the RG Kar hospital atrocity exposes total failure. She must quit forthwith—only ousting TMC can restore security.” Echoing the sentiment, BJP’s Shamik Bhattacharya argued, “Echoing TMC MLA Madan Mitra’s drivel, the CM admits defeat. She forfeits her mandate.”
CPI(M) heavyweight Sujan Chakraborty dismissed the blame game as “reprehensible and evasive,” pointing out, “Colleges can’t police off-campus wilds or public lands—that’s the state’s job. From barring night shifts in RG Kar to now night strolls, her pattern screams Bengal’s peril for women. The CM dodges accountability for systemic rot.” The uproar ties into broader anxieties post the August RG Kar tragedy, where a trainee doctor’s on-duty murder exposed vulnerabilities in public health facilities.
As investigations proceed and arrests mount, the controversy amplifies calls for comprehensive reforms in women’s safety protocols across educational precincts. With Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress facing mounting scrutiny ahead of polls, this episode risks deepening rifts in a polarized polity.
