“Female students from outside State should not go out late at night !”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s statement on the gang-rape incident

Kolkata (Bengal) — Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted to the gang-rape incident in Durgapur, saying, “There is zero tolerance for such incidents in Bengal. No one will be spared. However, female students coming from outside should not go out late at night. Private colleges are also responsible for ensuring their students’ safety. The victim was studying at a private medical college, and therefore the institution bears responsibility. How did this young woman step out at 12:30 a.m.? There are rules for hostel residents, and those must be followed,” Banerjee said, questioning the functioning and safety protocols of the hostel.

🔹 CM Mamata Banerjee on gang-rape of an MBBS student in Durgapur: “Girl students coming from outside should not go out late at night.”

🔹 She blamed the college instead of the culprits.

🔹 Such remarks only shift blame to victims, not deter crimes.

🚩“Where Ramrajya ensures… pic.twitter.com/8c5uCWfgKk

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 12, 2025

Chief Minister Banerjee alleged that three weeks ago, three girls were assaulted on a beach in Odisha. “What action has the Odisha government taken in that case?” she asked. Banerjee emphasized that no incident involving women in Bengal is treated as ‘ordinary’; every such case is considered serious. She added that all states should take strict measures to prevent such crimes.

Editorial Perspective

On one hand, there are places so safe that women can walk alone at midnight adorned with gold jewellery, the Ram Rajya ideal; on the other hand, there’s Bengal, where even women accompanied by men face assaults at midnight, a Ravan Rajya in contrast.