From Pride To Peril: Bengal’s Women Are Under Siege

West Bengal, once celebrated as a beacon of cultural pride and intellectual vibrancy, is unravelling under a shadow of lawlessness that threatens its very soul. The state, governed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is grappling with a deteriorating law and order situation where women’s safety has become a casualty of political machinations and institutional decay at a time when, in less than one year, the 2026 assembly election will take place. A string of high-profile cases—brutal crimes against women in settings as varied as hospitals, colleges, and public spaces—has exposed a chilling reality: Bengal is no longer a haven for its women.

The state’s police, tethered tightly to political interests, appear incapable of independent action, while opposition parties struggle to channel public outrage into meaningful resistance. Bengal’s obsession with vote-bank politics has blinded it to the ticking time bomb of systemic failure, and unless its people shed their cultural ego, the state risks descending into chaos. The recent spate of crimes against women paints a grim picture.

The horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a prominent Kolkata medical college sent shockwaves through the state, highlighting not just the vulnerability of women but also allegations of institutional cover-ups linked to TMC-affiliated figures. Similarly, the gang-rape of a student at a South Kolkata law college, allegedly within the college’s guardroom, exposed negligence and complicity at the highest levels of institutional oversight. Reports of sexual assault at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) further underscore that no space—be it educational, medical, or public—is immune to this scourge.

These cases, far from isolated, point to a broader pattern of violence enabled by a toxic nexus of political patronage and administrative apathy. At the heart of this crisis lies the TMC’s iron grip on West Bengal’s institutions. The state’s police, often accused of acting as an extension of the ruling party, have been criticised for their selective enforcement and reluctance to act against politically connected perpetrators.

Allegations of TMC strongmen wielding unchecked power have surfaced repeatedly, with figures reportedly enjoying patronage while running institutions with impunity. Government and government-aided colleges, once bastions of free thought, are now marred by politically motivated faculty, who prioritise loyalty over accountability. This politicisation stifles dissent and shields wrongdoers, leaving victims without recourse and justice a distant dream.

The TMC’s governance model, heavily reliant on consolidating vote banks, has exacerbated the crisis. Mamata Banerjee’s administration has been accused of prioritising electoral gains over addressing systemic issues, particularly when it comes to women’s safety. Policies and rhetoric often appear tailored to appease specific communities, sidelining the broader imperative of ensuring security for all. This calculated approach has deepened communal and social divides, with allegations of selective outrage and inaction depending on the political affiliations of the accused. The result is a state where justice is not blind but beholden to the ballot box, leaving women vulnerable to predators emboldened by a lack of consequences.

The opposition, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left, has failed to capitalise on this growing discontent. Despite the severity of these incidents, their response has been fragmented and ineffective. The BJP, while vocal about TMC’s failures, has struggled to resonate with Bengal’s populace, often alienating voters with its polarising rhetoric. The Left, once a formidable force, remains a shadow of its former self, unable to galvanise the masses.

Civil society movements, sparked by outrage over cases like those at RG Kar and South Calcutta Law College, have emerged as powerful voices of dissent, with protests drawing thousands to Kolkata’s streets. Yet, these movements have not translated into a cohesive political challenge against the TMC. The opposition’s inability to harness this public anger reflects a deeper disconnect, leaving Mamata Banerjee’s party largely unchallenged despite its governance lapses.

Bengal’s cultural pride, rooted in its legacy of intellectualism, literature, and social reform, has long been a source of strength. However, this same pride risks becoming a liability if it blinds the state to its current realities. The romanticised notion of Bengal as a land of enlightenment cannot mask the fact that its institutions are faltering, its police are compromised, and its women are increasingly unsafe.

The state’s obsession with vote-bank politics has eroded trust in governance, replacing ideals of justice with calculations of electoral advantage. This is not the Bengal of Tagore or Vivekananda; it is a Bengal teetering on the edge, where systemic rot threatens to unravel decades of progress.

The situation demands urgent action. First, the state must depoliticise its police force, granting it the autonomy to act without fear or favour. Independent investigations into high-profile cases, free from political interference, are essential to restore public faith.

Second, institutions like colleges and hospitals must be cleansed of partisan influence, with strict oversight to ensure accountability.

Third, the TMC must prioritise women’s safety over electoral considerations, implementing robust policies to protect vulnerable populations and punish offenders swiftly.

The opposition, too, must rise above petty rivalries and unite to hold the government accountable, amplifying civil society’s demands rather than exploiting them for political gain.

Bengal stands at a crossroads. Its people must confront the uncomfortable truth that their state is no longer a safe space for women. Clinging to cultural pride or political loyalties will not defuse the ticking time bomb of lawlessness and violence. Only a collective awakening—one that demands accountability, rejects vote-bank politics, and prioritises justice—can pull Bengal back from the brink. The question is whether its leaders and citizens have the courage to act before it’s too late.

The author teaches journalism at St. Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh.

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