Mahua Moitra Slams Party Colleagues Over Gangrape Remarks, Says 'Misogyny Cuts Across Party Lines'

Mahua Moitra slams TMC leaders for controversial remarks on Kolkata law student assault; party distances itself, reiterates zero tolerance for crimes against women.

Mahua Moitra Slams TMC Leaders Over Kolkata Law Student Assault Remarks

Source : PTI

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has strongly criticized the controversial comments made by fellow party leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra regarding the recent gangrape case in Kolkata. Speaking out on Saturday, Moitra emphasized that misogyny is not confined to any one political party, but highlighted a key difference: TMC, she said, does not tolerate such comments—regardless of who makes them.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Moitra shared TMC’s official statement condemning the remarks and clarified that the views expressed by Banerjee and Mitra were made in their personal capacities. The party, she stressed, does not endorse or support such statements in any form.

“These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever,” the TMC said in its post. Reaffirming its stance, the party underscored its “zero tolerance” approach to crimes against women and called for the “strictest possible punishment” for the accused.

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

The case that sparked the uproar involves the gangrape of a law student on the premises of South Calcutta Law College in the Kasba area. The incident occurred on June 25, and the FIR was filed a day later. Kolkata Police arrested three men on Friday in connection with the assault. Two of the accused are current students of the college, while the third—identified as prime accused Monojit Mishra—is a former student.

TMC Leaders Under Fire for Controversial Statements

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra have come under intense criticism for their insensitive comments on the case. Banerjee stirred outrage by asking, “What can be done if a friend rapes his friend?” While acknowledging that the accused should be apprehended, he questioned whether police can be present in every school and college. “This was done by students to another student. Who will protect her?” he asked reporters.

Mitra's remarks also sparked anger, with many accusing him of victim-blaming. He suggested that the assault could have been avoided if the survivor had not gone to the location. “If someone calls you when the college is closed offering you a position in the unit, then don't go—nothing good will come of it,” he said.

The statements have drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. BJP’s West Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya condemned the remarks, calling them “victim-blaming, plain and vile.”