The alleged rape of a second-year MBBS student at a private medical college in Pashchim Bardhaman district has triggered sharp criticism of the state government from the Opposition and renewed calls for urgent action to protect women. BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar took to X to denounce the incident. Posting on his account, he wrote: “After the horrific rape of a young woman doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital, yet another horrifying crime has emerged! .Under the failed and lawless rule of Chief Minister @MamataOfficial, West Bengal has turned into a nightmare for women’s safety. Across the state, from villages to cities, hospitals to homes, women are unsafe everywhere. The administration’s deliberate policy of appeasement has crippled police investigations, giving violent criminals a free hand. Mamata Banerjee has turned West Bengal into a safe haven for rapists and criminals.” Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also condemned the attack, saying girls and women in the state were not safe. “The incompetent police and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are affecting West Bengal’s pride and respect,” he said, referring to last year’s R.G. Kar case. Adhikari said that he also spoke to the victim’s father, adding, “An FIR has been lodged and BJP local workers are protesting outside the police station. We are in constant touch with the family. Though there has been an FIR, no arrest has been made yet.” The senior BJP leader called for tougher policing and harsher punishment for perpetrators and also accused the police of corruption, claiming their “only work is to collect money.” Adhikari also criticised the chief minister for what he described as silence on the issue, and asked: “Where are the tigresses of Bengal who went to Hathras? When Firhad Hakim is in question she comes and sits in nizam palace for 5 hours. When CBI went to Rajiv Kumar’s residence she did dharna in Dharmatala.” BJP leaders staged protests outside the nearby local police station on Saturday, demanding the immediate arrest of all accused. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, speaking to The Indian Express during a protest in Asansol, called the incident “unfortunate and shameful” and said the victim had come from Odisha to study medicine in West Bengal. “It is sad that in a state where the CM is a woman, women from girl children to senior citizens are being raped every day,” she said. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress urged patience as the investigation proceeds. State minister and MLA Sashi Panja appealed for calm and said the police were conducting an inquiry. “Kolkata and the state work for women and girls’ empowerment, and we do not compromise on any injustice against women,” she said. The family of the victim, local party workers and civil society members have demanded swift arrests and a transparent probe.
