“Will rape…” Threat to Abhishek Banerjee’s minor daughter from protest rally over RG Kar horror; Child rights commission takes cognisance, demands police action

A shocking video has surfaced on Sunday evening where a man, presumably part of a protest rally over the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old RG Kar doctor, was heard openly threatening rape to the minor daughter of Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The protest rally purportedly was taken out in Bhangar, in the eastern fringes of Kolkata. “Abhishek Banerjee has a daughter. Let her be raped then we will collect Rs 10 crore compensation for her…”, the yet-to-be-identified protester was heard shouting. This came at a time when the whole nation is still reeling from the shock of the RG Kar horror, with a growing chorus demanding justice and a safer environment for women which is equally sensitive towards gender rights.

West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken suo motto cognisance of the video and called it filthy. The commission has also for immediate police action into it under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. “Such filthy intentions of the miscreant and his indecent remark in public amounts to outraging the modesty of a minor girl and also endanger her safety and security”, the statement from the commission read. “While the entire state is mourning the sad demise of the doctor at RG Kar, calling for another rape to settle scores is clearly violative of the law and could send out a dangerous message to society if punitive measures are not taken. This can put not just the minor girl in question but all minor girls at risk," the commission added.

Abhishek Banerjee hasn’t issued any statement as yet and sources close to him indicate that he was deeply hurt but has advised his team not to pursue the matter. “We want justice for the RG Kar doctor, that is the bigger issue at hand and such threats can’t be allowed to dominate discourse”, the source claimed quoting Abhishek Banerjee as what the leader had said to his close circle after the video surfaced.

Expressing anguish TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien has condemned the statement. “Fight us politically with your filthy tricks. You have done it before. But today you have crossed the line. Stop threatening kids. No words are enough to condemn the gutter-level threats to our National General Secretary’s daughter. STOP THIS NOW” O’brien posted on ‘X’.
After the brutal rape and murder of RG Kar second-year-old PGT student on August 9, the entire city and state had erupted in protests demanding justice. Several opposition parties including the Left and BJP have slammed the Mamata Banerjee government over the incident. Protests have been carried out on everyday basis in the city and around demanding speedy trial and justice for the deceased doctor.