Subhechcha Ganguly 
The alleged gangrape of a second-year medical student in Durgapur has ignited a major political row in West Bengal, with the BJP targeting the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government over law and order concerns.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced sharp criticism for her remark that girls “should not be allowed to go outside at night.” The BJP accused her of victim-blaming instead of ensuring women’s safety. “She was studying in a private medical college… all the private medical are whose responsibility? How did they go out at 12:30 at night? It happened, as far as I know, in a forest area… the investigation is on,” Banerjee said on Sunday.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia lashed out at Banerjee on X, calling her a “blot on womanhood,” while Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar questioned if the Chief Minister wanted women to “wear burqas and stay at home.”
National Commission for Women (NCW) member Archana Majumdar also condemned Banerjee’s comments, calling them “absurd,” and highlighting that women work night shifts across sectors and excel in every field, from healthcare to sports.
Facing backlash, the Chief Minister later claimed that her statement was “distorted” by the media. “You ask me a question, I answer it, and then you distort it. Do not try this kind of politics,” she said in Alipurduar.
Meanwhile, police have arrested three accused in the Durgapur case, who have been presented before the court as investigations continue.
