'Bengal Showing Signs Of Being A Soft State': Governor Bose Slams Deteriorating Law & Order

Last Updated:October 15, 2025, 11:02 IST

Bose, who met the Durgapur gang-rape survivor, said women no longer feel safe in the state, adding that he would do everything to ensure the 23-year-old gets justice

CV Ananda Bose expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of violence and crimes against women. (PTI)

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has said Bengal is “showing symptoms of a soft state" where laws exist but are not properly implemented. In an exclusive conversation with News18, Bose expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of violence and crimes against women, adding that Bengal has now become a state where women no longer feel safe.

Last week, Bose visited North Bengal to assess the situation after floods. He also met MP Khagen Murmu, who was injured in recent violent incidents in the area, at the hospital and subsequently submitted a report to the President. Soon after, he travelled directly to Durgapur to meet a 23-year-old medical student from Odisha’s Jaleswar who was gang-raped near her private college.

Below are excerpts from his conversation with News18:

On the Law & Order Situation in Bengal

Incident after incident takes place here, eroding the sense of safety among people, particularly women, who remain unprotected. Whatever is happening, reflects the symptoms of a soft state, where laws exist but are not implemented effectively.

See the recent incident: an innocent medical student has been brutally gangraped. I interacted with the survivor and her parents. What transpired during our conversation will remain confidential, but the fact is Bengal has turned into a society where women feel unsafe.

The strength of any society is measured by the safety and dignity of its women. The Vedas teach us to honour women. Such a helpless situation cannot continue. Bengal needs a renaissance.

Every time such an incident takes place, there is an uproar for a few days, and then everything is forgotten. As a former bureaucrat, I can say governments may come and go, but civil servants must act and the police must act—which is lacking here. We cannot allow a political Holi with blood, nor a situation where women are not respected or protected.

On His Meeting With Murmu & MP Khagen Murmu

Khagen Murmu is a tribal leader and what happened to him is shocking. We must put an end to this culture of violence. Democracy here is being throttled by mobocracy.

I have submitted my report to the President and it is confidential. I would say, wait and watch.

On the Steps Ahead

There are constitutional, legal, and political options available. Certain steps must be taken to prevent such incidents and to correct the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

On the Durgapur Incident

My oral report on the Durgapur case has been sent and the written report will follow shortly. It was deeply painful to meet and listen to the survivor. I have assured her that I will do everything possible to ensure justice for her because that is what is required.

On the Upcoming Elections

There is a disturbing trend in Bengal concerning elections. All stakeholders—the silent majority, civil society, and the media—must come together to ensure free and fair elections. Proactive steps are necessary.

Kamalika Sengupta

Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...Read More

Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...

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