TMC leaders’ remarks exhibit pervasive misogyny

THERE’s a sickening familiarity to the remarks by two senior leaders of the ruling party in West Bengal over the alleged rape of a law student in Kolkata. Once again, a brazen attempt has been made to place the blame on the victim. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra has been blunt in expressing her dismay. Misogyny, she said, cuts across party lines. What makes it worse and even more reprehensible is that years of rule and leadership of a firebrand Chief Minister like Mamata Banerjee have failed to infuse sensitivity or a mindset change within the TMC. The crassness on display is certainly not confined to her state. Political slugfests in the aftermath of heinous crimes anywhere in the country invariably see deeply troubling patriarchal mores being unmasked, as well as the most shameful commentary.

A special investigation team has been set up and arrests made. The law will take its own course, but the matter must not end there. The TMC leaders’ remarks deserve not just condemnation, but disapproval in the strongest terms by the party rank and file. Mamata Banerjee faces another test. The RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case and the nationwide outrage that followed are still fresh in memory. Simply dissociating the party from the comments made won’t be enough. There must be consequences for actions that go against all that a life in public service stands for. Else, the message that goes out is that acting with impunity is acceptable behaviour.

It defies logic why extending full support to a victim is not ingrained as an essential duty, whichever party may be in power. Prevention of crime is a measure of sound governance, but so is an effective response when a crime does take place. The TMC seems to be falling short on both counts.

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