Kolkata: Trinamool Congress which is under sharp attack from the Opposition following the gangrape in a law college in Kolkata, was stung by one of its own MP’s remarks. MP Kalyan Banerjee accused his own party of shielding criminals. The attack has made things more difficult for Bengal’s ruling party, which was already under fire after reports said that the main accused in the gangrape case was a student leader from Trinamool.
Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks
On Saturday Banerjee had said that nothing could be done by the government or the law enforcement agencies if “a friend rapes a friend”.The exact words being, “What can be done if a friend rapes his friend? Will the police be in schools? This was done by students to another student. Who will protect her (the survivor)? Who does all this criminality and molestation? Some men do it. So, who should women fight against? Women should fight against these perverted men.”
He further said, “I am saying the same thing again and again. Whoever has done it must be arrested immediately. But if a friend rapes a friend, how can that be corruption? The condition of safety and security is the same everywhere. As long as the mindset of men remains this way, these incidents will keep occurring.”
But the party was to face more wrath from its own. After Banerjee, its MLA Madan Mitra blamed the survivor for the rape incident. NDTV quoted him as saying, “If the girl had not gone there, this incident would not have happened. If she had told someone where she was going, taken a couple of friends with her, it would not have happened. The people who committed the crime took advantage of the situation.”
The party immediately distanced itself from the remarks made by both the leaders. It also condemned the remarks by both its MLA and MP.
In a formal statement the Trinamool Congress said, “The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same. These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever.”
The party also said that their stance remains resolute. They had zero tolerance for crimes against women and demanded the strictest possible punishment for those involved in the heinous crime.
Trinamool Congress MP, Mahua Moitra shared the party’s statement on ‘X’ and wrote, “Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates Trinamool Congress is that they condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them.”
Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates @AITCofficial is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them. https://t.co/2AQ59fQK4w
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) June 28, 2025
Kalyan Banerjee’s response to Trinamool criticism
However, no amount of admonition from his party could stop Kalyan Banerjee. Even after the party’s criticism, he continued to stand firm on his words. He went all guns blazing against its own party, once again on Saturday evening. He accused the TMC of shielding criminals.
He said, “I completely disagree with the post made by Trinamool Congress on X. Are they indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals? Mere academic statements won’t bring any real change unless immediate action is taken against those leaders directly responsible. What’s even more unfortunate is that some of the leaders who emerged after 2011 are themselves under question in such crimes.”
He further questioned the intellect of his own party leaders, saying some in the party lacked “moral and intellectual alignment” to understand what he had said. He further said that he wanted to distance himself from those in the Trinamool who were encouraging or protecting the criminals. To truly understand the intent behind my words and statements, a certain level of moral and intellectual alignment is required – which, unfortunately, seems to be missing, he added.