The brutal rape of a 24-year-old law student at South Calcutta Law College has sent shockwaves across West Bengal and sparked a political storm within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). As public outrage mounts, internal party divisions have burst into the open, further complicating the TMC’s political messaging ahead of key elections.
The crime took place on June 25 inside the college's union room. The main accused, Manojit Mishra (31), a former general secretary of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), allegedly raped the victim, while two other students, Promit Mukherjee and Zaid Ahmed, are accused of recording the assault for blackmail. A college security guard was arrested for failing to report the incident. CCTV footage and medical reports support the survivor’s account, with police forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
Controversial remarks by senior TMC leaders have deepened the crisis. MP Kalyan Banerjee questioned whether rape between friends could be prevented, while MLA Madan Mitra blamed the victim for visiting the college after hours. These statements were widely condemned as victim-blaming and sparked fierce backlash on social media and from opposition parties.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra strongly criticized her colleagues, calling their comments "disgusting" and emphasizing that the party must uphold zero tolerance for misogyny. “What differentiates us is that we condemn such comments, no matter who makes them,” she said. Banerjee responded with a personal attack, referencing Moitra’s recent marriage and accusing her of hypocrisy.
The BJP has capitalized on the controversy, accusing the TMC of fostering a culture of impunity. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo-motu cognizance and sought detailed reports from the police, raising broader concerns about women’s safety in West Bengal.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)