Kolkata Gangrape Case Deepens Internal Rift in TMC

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TMC Faces Internal Rift as MP Kalyan Banerjee Slams Party Over Kolkata Gangrape Case Response

By TRH News Desk

NEW DELHI, June 28, 2025 – A public feud within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) erupted following a controversial post by TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee on X, where he sharply criticized his party’s response to the alleged gangrape of a 24-year-old student at South Calcutta Law College. Banerjee’s post, challenging the TMC’s official statement distancing itself from his and MLA Madan Mitra’s remarks, exposed deep divisions within the party over handling the high-profile case, which sparked widespread outrage in West Bengal.

In his post on X, Banerjee wrote, “I completely disagree with the post made by @AITCofficial on X. Are they indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals? Mere academic statements won’t bring any real change unless immediate action is taken against those leaders directly responsible.” What’s even more unfortunate is that some of the leaders who emerged after 2011 are themselves under question in such crimes, he further added.

“I also wish to clearly distance myself from those who are encouraging or protecting these criminals. To truly understand the intent behind my words and statements, a certain level of moral and intellectual alignment is required — which, unfortunately, seems to be missing,” stated Banerjee.

Banerjee’s remarks come amid a firestorm over his earlier comments on the gangrape case, where he was quoted saying, “What can be done if a friend rapes his friend? Will the police be in schools?” These statements, perceived as trivializing the crime, drew sharp condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with leaders like Amit Malviya accusing him of “shamelessness” and alleging TMC’s complicity in protecting the accused. The BJP further claimed that the prime accused, Manojit Mishra, a former TMC Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) leader, had ties to senior TMC figures, including MP Abhishek Banerjee and State Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, intensifying political attacks.

The Kolkata Police arrested suspects—Manojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20)—on June 26, followed by a college security guard, Pinaki Banerjee, after the victim alleged she was assaulted in a guard room on campus on June 25. The survivor’s complaint detailed a horrific ordeal, including being hit with a hockey stick, filmed, and threatened with the release of the footage.

A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing the case, with the accused remanded to police custody until July 1.

The TMC’s official X account distanced itself from Banerjee and Mitra’s remarks, stating, “The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same.”

However, Banerjee’s rebuttal suggests a broader discontent, accusing the party of shielding leaders linked to the accused and failing to take decisive action. His reference to “leaders who emerged after 2011” points to internal factionalism, possibly targeting younger TMC figures like Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and a prominent party leader.

Adding to the controversy, TMC MLA Madan Mitra sparked outrage by implying the victim was partly responsible, saying, “If that girl had not gone there, this wouldn’t have happened.” TMC MP Mahua Moitra countered the misogynistic remarks, posting on X, “Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates @AITCofficial is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them.”

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