Will victim-blaming Durgapur gangrape survivor absolve Trinamool Congress? West Bengal MP says 'police can't be everywhere'

Amid facing flak for allegedly making insensitive comments in the Durgapur gangrape case, another Trinamool Congress leader has raised questions about the victim venturing out at night. Defending the Mamata Banerjee government, TMC MP Saugata Roy said, "police can't be everywhere." 

 

Reacting to the horrific incident, the Trinamool Congress leader said women should avoid venturing out at night. Roy said violence against women is a rarity in West Bengal. "Such cases are rare in Bengal. Women's safety in Bengal is better than in any other place," Roy said.

 

 

"But women shouldn't leave their colleges so late at night, as the police can't patrol everywhere," the Trinamool Congress MP said. Citing limitations of West Bengal police, Roy said, "police cannot be present on every road." Saying police will take action when such an incident occurs, Roy added, "women should also be cautious." 

 

 

Roy's comments come as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing ire over her comments questioning the victim for venturing out at night. A 23-year-old second-year MBBS student from Odisha, studying at a private medical college in Durgapur, was allegedly gangraped in a jungle near the college during the late hours of Friday. The victim had reportedly stepped out of campus to have dinner with friends.

 

The victim hails from Jaleswar in Odisha's Balasore district. The father of a victim had slammed Banerjee for the comments and said the West Bengal chief minister must issue a "fatwa" so that no girl would step out of their home.

India