• Source:JND
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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's controversial remark on the Durgapur gangrape case has sparked scathing attack from the opposition BJP, with the saffron party on Sunday calling it 'yet another disgraceful remark', hinting at the past statements.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to X and said, "In yet another disgraceful remark, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed the second-year MBBS student from Odisha, studying at IQ City Medical College & Hospital, Durgapur (West Bengal), who was brutally gang raped by Wasif Ali and his accomplices, for her own assault."

He added, "She suggested that girls should not go out late at night, implying that if they do, they are inviting rape. This isn’t the first time Mamata Banerjee has spoken with such insensitivity. Time and again, she has chosen to blame the victim instead of the perpetrators. A Chief Minister who cannot stand with women in their darkest hour has no moral right to govern."

Another sharp attack came from the BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala, who cornered Congress and wrote, "Once again CM Mamata Banerjee indulges in victim shaming and blaming. ‘The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night,’ said CM Mamata Banerjee on gangrape of an MBBS student in Durgapur. Instead of standing with the Beti She blames the Beti and defends Balatkari. Time & again: RG Kar , Sandeshkhali, Park Street – this has been done. Will the outrage lobby who was shouting yesterday – Supriya Shrinate, Priyanka Vadra , Rahul Gandhi etc open their mouths now?"

ALSO READ: ‘How Did She Come Out At 12:30 AM’: Mamata Banerjee’s Remarks On Durgapur Gang Rape Raises Eyebrows

The outburst came after Banerjee said that the girls should not be allowed to go out at night. She said, "I’m shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges also should take care of their students, and especially girls. The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also. There is a forest area. Police are searching all the people."

Past instances of controversial statements by Mamata

Hanskhali, Nadia (2022): Banerjee publicly raised doubts about the rape and pregnancy of the minor victim. She repeatedly referred to the reports of love relationship. "Has she been raped, or was she pregnant, or was it a love affair?" she had said.

Park Street Gangrape (2012): In the gangrape case, the Bengal CM had refuted the media reports questioning the merits of the case. She had called the gangrape case as a 'fabricated story'.

ALSO READ: Durgapur Gangrape Case: Victim's Father Expresses Concern Over Her Safety In Bengal, Decides To Take Her Back To Odisha

Another 2012 remark: According to a report by News18, Banerjee in 2012 said that the rape cases were increasing because social interactions has become open between men and women.

She had said: "Rape cases are on the rise because boys and girls interact more freely now. Earlier, if men and women held hands, they would be caught and reprimanded by parents, but now everything is so open. It’s like an open market with open options."