A scandal erupted in Bengal over the alleged gang rape of a student at Kolkata Law College. The BJP protested. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar was detained. The National Commission for Women has demanded action.
Kolkata: The alleged gang rape of a student at Kolkata Law College has shaken the entire state of West Bengal. After the incident came to light, outrage has spread in society, and a stir has also been created in the state's politics. The BJP has opened a front against the Mamata government over this issue.
Sukanta Majumdar Detained
The BJP staged a massive protest against the state government on Saturday. During this, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar was taken into custody by the police. Majumdar called the police action undemocratic and said that democracy had ended in Bengal. He accused Mamata Banerjee of allowing law and order in the state to collapse completely and of protecting criminals.
National Commission for Women Takes Cognizance
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, taking it seriously. Commission Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar termed it an inhuman incident and said that it is a matter that shakes the conscience of society. The commission has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, Manoj Pant, seeking the cooperation of the state police to meet the victim and her family.
In addition, the commission had earlier sent a letter to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, directing him to ensure a quick and impartial investigation into the matter. The commission says that maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the state government, and any kind of laxity in this matter will not be tolerated.
Suvendu Adhikari Demands President's Rule
Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has directly attacked the state government after the incident. He said that women are not safe in the state even when there is a woman Chief Minister. He appealed to the central government to either impose President's rule in the state or deploy the army and paramilitary forces under Article 355.
Suvendu Adhikari said that as long as the Trinamool Congress remains in power, the safety of women in the state cannot be ensured. He alleged that the Trinamool Congress party has become a haven for rapists and corrupt people.
The Alleged Victim's Case and Investigation Status
It is noteworthy that the victim has alleged that she was taken to the guard room by some students and a security guard within the college campus and was harassed for hours and gang-raped. She has also alleged that the main accused threatened her and tried to blackmail her by making a video of the incident.
The police have so far arrested four people in this case. The main accused, Monojit Mishra, who is associated with the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad, has already been arrested. Medical reports have confirmed rape and physical violence.
State Government's Response
However, the state government has not yet given any direct political reaction in this matter. Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja said in a press conference that the government stands with the victim and her family and that a fair investigation is being conducted. She also said that this incident should not be politicized.
BJP leaders say that an attempt is being made to suppress the injustice done to the victim and that since the accused are associated with the ruling party, the police are also not investigating impartially. According to the BJP, the state government has throttled democracy, and voices of protest are being suppressed.
