In the wake of the recent alleged gang rape of a law student at South Calcutta Law College, political tensions have escalated in West Bengal. Tripura MP and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, along with other senior BJP leaders, has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging a complete breakdown of law and order and asserting that “women are not safe in Bengal.”
The BJP has vowed to intensify its campaign for women’s safety in the state, with Deb stating that the party will “fight relentlessly to restore dignity and protection for women in Bengal.”
📌 Key Developments
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Alleged gang rape of a 24-year-old law student at South Calcutta Law College |
| Date of Incident | June 25, 2025 |
| Prime Accused | Manojit Mishra, alleged former TMCP leader |
| Political Fallout | BJP launches protests, sends fact-finding team |
| TMC Response | Denies links with accused, calls for strict punishment |
| NCW Involvement | Suo-motu cognizance taken; report sought from Bengal Police |
🧾 BJP’s Political Offensive
Biplab Deb, who led a four-member BJP fact-finding team to Kolkata, accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of shielding criminals with political affiliations. “Even a law student is not safe in Bengal. This is not just a law and order failure—it’s a moral collapse,” Deb said during a press briefing.
The team, which includes former Union Ministers Meenakshi Lekhi and Satpal Singh, plans to submit a detailed report to BJP national president J.P. Nadda.
🔥 Pivot Table: BJP’s Allegations vs TMC’s Response
| Issue Raised by BJP | TMC’s Counterclaim |
|---|---|
| Women unsafe under TMC rule | Bengal has one of the lowest crime rates against women (NCRB data) |
| Accused linked to TMCP | TMC denies current affiliation, supports legal action |
| Political shielding of criminals | TMC calls for impartial investigation |
| Lawlessness in educational institutions | TMC cites isolated incident, not systemic failure |
| BJP’s fact-finding team denied access | TMC says law enforcement is handling the case independently |
🏛️ TMC’s Defense and Counterattack
TMC leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose, have pushed back strongly. “Despite BJP propaganda, the truth is crimes against women are among the lowest in Bengal as per NCRB data,” she posted on X. The party also highlighted high crime rates in BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh to counter the narrative.
State Minister Shashi Panja questioned the credibility of the BJP’s fact-finding team, citing past controversies involving its members.
📈 Crime Statistics: Bengal vs BJP-Ruled States (2024)
| State | Reported Rape Cases | % Change YoY | NCRB Rank (Safety for Women) |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 1,982 | -3.2% | 6th |
| Madhya Pradesh | 7,294 | +19% | 28th |
| Uttar Pradesh | 5,112 | +4.5% | 24th |
| Gujarat | 2,301 | +2.1% | 18th |
Source: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 2024
🧩 Political Strategy Ahead of 2026 Assembly Polls
The BJP appears to be recalibrating its strategy in Bengal, focusing on women’s safety as a central electoral issue. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has announced a series of rallies under the banner of “Kanya Suraksha Yatra” (March to Protect Daughters), culminating in a mass protest at Nabanna on August 9.
| BJP Campaign Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| Kasba Obhijan | Protest march from Golpark to Kasba |
| Kanya Suraksha Yatra | Statewide rallies for women’s safety |
| Nabanna March (Aug 9) | Protest on RG Kar victim’s death anniversary |
| Fact-Finding Reports | Submitted to BJP national leadership |
🧠 Public Sentiment and Civil Society Response
The incident has sparked outrage across Bengal, with student unions, women’s rights groups, and civil society organizations demanding swift justice. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo-motu cognizance and asked the Bengal DGP to submit a detailed report within 72 hours.
NCW member Archana Majumdar stated, “Where is the security for girl students? This is not just a crime—it’s a systemic failure.”
