RG Kar Victim's Mother: PM Modi Praised My Courage to Fight
Synopsis
Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim and BJP's Panihati candidate, revealed PM Modi praised her courage at his West Bengal rally. She alleges CM Mamata Banerjee stalled the investigation into hospital insiders — and has vowed to fight until justice is delivered, even from inside the legislature.
Key Takeaways
Ratna Debnath , mother of the RG Kar rape and murder victim , is contesting the West Bengal Assembly elections as a BJP candidate from Panihati .
PM Narendra Modi praised Debnath at a Panihati public rally on April 25 , telling her she is "fighting with great courage" and placing his hand on her head.
Debnath alleged that CM Mamata Banerjee acknowledged possible insider involvement at RG Kar Medical College but failed to follow through on the investigation.
PM Modi promised at the rally that all individuals connected to the RG Kar conspiracy will be held accountable after a BJP government is formed in the state.
The RG Kar case , which erupted in August 2024 , triggered nationwide protests and is now a central issue in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections .
Debnath stated she is contesting solely to ensure women's safety and to prevent other parents from suffering the same fate as her family.
Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim and BJP candidate from Panihati Assembly constituency, revealed on Friday, April 25 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally acknowledged her resolve during a massive election rally in Panihati, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. PM Modi told her she was "fighting with great courage," placing his hand on her head when she expressed her desire to publicly reveal her daughter's name and photograph in the pursuit of justice.
PM Modi's Words at Panihati Rally
Prime Minister Modi addressed a large public gathering in Panihati ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters after the event, Debnath recounted the moment: "PM Modi told me that I am fighting with great courage. When I told him that I want justice for my daughter and want to reveal her name and picture, he put his hand on my head."
At the rally, PM Modi made a pointed declaration — that every individual connected to the larger conspiracy surrounding the RG Kar rape and murder case, regardless of their political influence or social standing, would be identified and held accountable once a BJP government is formed in the state.
Debnath's Election Campaign and Demand for Justice
Ratna Debnath said her election campaign is centred entirely on one issue: justice for her daughter and the safety of women across West Bengal. She stated that the people of her constituency share her sentiment and want accountability for what happened inside a state-run hospital.
"Nobody could accept this — that a doctor can be brutally murdered in a hospital. My daughter has fallen victim to evil policy. I want to see how deep are the roots of such evil policies," she said. She added that her primary motivation for entering politics is to ensure no other parent endures the same nightmare her family has lived through since August 2024.
"My daughter had a lot of dreams but that one phone call has changed my life. Now I have pledged that I won't let any other girl become a victim of such an incident," she stated, underlining that women's safety is the defining issue of this election for her.
Allegations Against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Debnath levelled serious allegations against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming that the Trinamool Congress-led state government failed to pursue the full truth after the incident. She said CM Banerjee visited their home four days after the crime and claimed the real culprit had been apprehended.
"But I said no — the person who has been caught cannot be called the real culprit because he was outside while my daughter was inside the hospital. How would he know where my daughter was?" she questioned, strongly suggesting the involvement of insiders at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Debnath further alleged that even CM Banerjee had acknowledged this possibility during their meeting, reportedly directing officials to investigate who from inside the hospital may have been involved. "But nothing progressed after that," she alleged, pointing to what she described as a deliberate stalling of the investigation.
Broader Context: RG Kar Case and Political Fallout
The RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case shocked the nation in August 2024 when a trainee doctor was found brutally assaulted and killed inside the hospital premises in Kolkata. The case triggered massive nationwide protests under the banner of "Reclaim the Night", with doctors and civil society groups demanding justice and institutional accountability.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case from the Kolkata Police following directions from the Calcutta High Court, amid allegations of evidence tampering and delayed action by state authorities. The case has since become a central political flashpoint in West Bengal, with the BJP using it as a key campaign issue against the Trinamool Congress government.
Notably, the decision by Ratna Debnath to contest elections from Panihati as a BJP candidate represents a striking escalation — a grieving mother transforming personal tragedy into political agency, demanding systemic accountability from within the legislature itself.
What to Watch Next
With the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, the RG Kar case is set to remain a dominant narrative. The BJP's promise of accountability and the Trinamool Congress government's handling of the investigation will be closely scrutinised by voters, particularly in constituencies like Panihati. The outcome of Debnath's candidacy may signal how deeply the case has resonated with ordinary citizens who see it as emblematic of a broader breakdown in women's safety and institutional integrity in the state.
Point of View
It will send an unmistakable message that voters hold the Trinamool Congress directly responsible for a culture of impunity that cost a young doctor her life.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say to RG Kar victim's mother Ratna Debnath?
PM Modi told Ratna Debnath at a Panihati rally that she is 'fighting with great courage.' He placed his hand on her head when she expressed her wish to publicly reveal her daughter's name and photograph in the pursuit of justice.
Who is Ratna Debnath and why is she contesting elections?
Ratna Debnath is the mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim and is contesting the West Bengal Assembly elections as a BJP candidate from Panihati. She entered politics to demand justice for her daughter and to fight for women's safety.
What are Ratna Debnath's allegations against CM Mamata Banerjee?
Debnath alleges that CM Mamata Banerjee visited her home four days after the incident, acknowledged possible insider involvement at RG Kar hospital, and directed officials to investigate — but no progress was made thereafter.
What is the current status of the RG Kar rape and murder case?
The CBI took over the RG Kar rape and murder case from Kolkata Police following Calcutta High Court orders amid allegations of evidence tampering. The case remains under investigation, with the victim's family and opposition parties alleging that the full conspiracy has not been exposed.
What did PM Modi promise about the RG Kar case at his West Bengal rally?
PM Modi declared at his Panihati rally that every individual connected to the larger conspiracy in the RG Kar rape and murder case, regardless of their influence, will be identified and held accountable after the formation of a BJP government in West Bengal.
