'Why did the girl go alone?' MLA's controversial remark on Law College gang rape case

KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Madan Mitra has stirred controversy with his remarks on the recent gang-rape of a law student from South Calcutta Law College. Speaking to a news agency, Mitra suggested that the incident could have been avoided if the student had not gone to the campus.

“If the girl had informed someone where she was going or taken one or two friends along, this wouldn’t have happened. The attackers took advantage of the situation,” the MLA said, implying that the victim's actions contributed to the circumstances that led to the assault.

Earlier, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also faced backlash for a controversial statement regarding the incident. He had commented, “What can be done if one friend rapes another?”

Amid mounting criticism over the insensitive remarks made by both leaders, the Trinamool Congress took to social media to clarify that their statements were personal opinions and not representative of the party's official stance.

'The statements made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra regarding the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College are their personal opinions. The party strongly condemns these remarks. These views do not reflect the stance of the party in any manner. We have zero tolerance for crimes against women and demand the strictest possible punishment for those involved in this heinous act,” the party said.

Subsequently, Madan Mitra also issued a clarification, claiming that his comments were misinterpreted.