“Will make sure stringent anti-rape laws are implemented…”: Abhishek Banerjee Accuses BJP of Politicizing RG Kar Rape Case, Vows to Advocate for Stricter Anti-Rape Laws

Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing them of politicizing the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old PGT student from Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Speaking at a public gathering organized by the student wing of the Trinamool Congress, Banerjee called on the Union government to enact and enforce stricter anti-rape laws. He emphasized that he and his party would continue to advocate for these measures until they are implemented.

“They do not have it in themselves to bring about anti rape laws in this country because they know that if stringent laws are implemented, the first people to be jailed would be their own BJP leaders…On August 14, the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI, it has been at least 14 days since…Common people are yearning for justice, we all are demanding justice and want the culprits to be punished, but the BJP is demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation. They want to cash this incident to drive their ulterior political motives to fruition, following their electoral defeats in Bengal,” said the Diamond Harbour MP. “I promise to take this protest all the way to Delhi… We will make sure that stringent anti-rape laws are brought about and implemented,” he added.

In response to the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a group identifying themselves as Paschim Banga Chatra Samaj—claiming to be an apolitical student organization—organized a “Nabanna Chalo” march to the Bengal Secretariat, demanding justice and the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP supported this student-led protest, and connections between the rally organizers and Bengal BJP leadership emerged. What was supposed to be a peaceful rally, soon escalated into clashes between protesters and police, resulting in several officers being seriously injured and many demonstrators being detained. In reaction, the BJP called for a 12-hour Bengal Bandh across the state.

“The BJP called for a 12 hour Bangla Bandh (All Bengal Strike) yesterday. Since we came to power in 2011, we have time and again condemned such ‘bandh’ politics… we vehemently condemn this wing of politics that aims to destabilize Bengal. I will request the Bengal BJP leadership to call for a strike on August 28 every year; the people of Bengal will show them how to defy such odds,” said Abhishek Banerjee strongly condemning the happenings of the Nabanna Cholo March. “When people across the country are demanding justice over an extremely unfortunate incident, some are trying to play dirty politics under the garb of it. However, the people of Bengal have seen through their politics of death and bloodshed, and they have been unmasked,” stated the Diamond Harbour MP.

The Trinamool Congress National General Secretary criticized the BJP as being anti-women and highlighted NCRB data that ranks states based on crimes against women. According to this data, Uttar Pradesh is ranked first in terms of such crimes, and it is a state ruled by the BJP. “Under their regime, incidents of Kathua, Unnao, Hathras, Badlapur happened…They are demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but as per NCRB data, Uttar Pradesh ranks first in crimes committed against women, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and then Maharashtra, all of them are BJP run states, first you ask for the resignation of the Chief Ministers of these states, and then you come and demand Mamata Banerjee’s resignation,” said Banerjee.