Why Did Trinamool Congress Condemn Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra's Comments on the Kolkata Law Student Rape Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Trinamool Congress has condemned controversial remarks made by its leaders.
- The party emphasizes zero tolerance for crimes against women.
- The incident has raised concerns about institutional failures in providing safety.
- A call for an independent investigation by the CBI has been made.
- Public figures are urged to exercise caution in their statements regarding sensitive issues.
Kolkata, June 28 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress has formally condemned a party Lok Sabha member and a state legislator for their controversial remarks regarding the alleged rape of a law student on the premises of a college in Kasba, Kolkata, earlier this week.
The individuals receiving censure are the senior advocate of the Calcutta High Court and four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member, Kalyan Banerjee, alongside party legislator Madan Mitra.
Following the incident, which involved three accused linked to the Trinamool Congress's student wing, the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, Kalyan Banerjee suggested that it would be impossible for government authorities to ensure protection in situations where a friend commits such a crime against another friend.
Subsequently, Madan Mitra, known for his frequent controversial statements, remarked that the incident conveyed a message to all girls indicating they should refrain from attending college when it is closed.
These comments sparked significant backlash within both political and social communities in West Bengal.
In response, the Trinamool Congress issued a statement declaring that the remarks made by Banerjee and Mitra were their personal opinions, and the party unequivocally disassociated itself from them, expressing strong condemnation.
"These statements do not represent the party's position in any respect. Our commitment to fighting against crimes targeting women is unwavering, and we demand the harshest punishment for those involved in this abhorrent act," the statement emphasized.
Meanwhile, a Calcutta High Court advocate, Souma Subhra Ray, addressed a letter to Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, urging the court to take suo motu cognizance of the Kasba law college rape case.
In her letter, Ray requested that Justice Sivagnanam direct a court-monitored and independent criminal investigation, ideally led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to guarantee an unbiased probe free from state influence.
Ray also advocated for the formation of a judicial commission, chaired by a retired Calcutta High Court judge, to scrutinize the institutional, administrative, and security failures that allowed this incident to transpire.