Durgapur rape case: Victim's father apologises to 'mother-like' Mamata; seeks justice for daughter

NEW DELHI: Days after criticising chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks on women's safety, the father of the Durgapur gang rape victim on Wednesday described her as a "mother-like figure" and sought forgiveness, urging her to help secure justice for his daughter."Mamata Banerjee is like a mother-like figure to me. If I have said anything wrong, I ask her to forgive me. I will render countless obeisance at her feet. But I ask her to help my daughter get justice," the victim’s father told television channels, according to PTI, urging her forgiveness if he had spoken harshly earlier.His remarks come days after he criticised the chief minister for her comment that "women should not venture out at night,"following the assault of his daughter, a second-year MBBS student at a private medical college in Durgapur."She (Mamata Banerjee) is also a woman. How can she say such an irresponsible thing? Should women quit their jobs and sit at home? It seems Bengal is under the rule of Aurangzeb. I want to take my daughter back to Odisha. Her life comes first, her career later,"he had said earlier.The father had also expressed a loss of faith in West Bengal’s law and order situation and said he wanted to take his daughter back to Odisha for her safety.

The controversy began after Mamata Banerjee, while addressing the media about the crime, said, "I learned that she was outside the campus at 12:30 am. Students residing in hostels should refrain from venturing out at night. Private medical colleges must ensure the safety of their students, particularly female students, who should not be permitted to leave the premises at night. Girls should protect themselves as well.

"Defending the police, Banerjee had said it was not possible for officers to monitor everyone’s movements or stand guard outside every house. She later clarified that her statement had been "distorted and taken out of context.”Her comments, however, drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, women’s rights groups, and the Odisha government, who accused her of victim-blaming.The 22-year-old MBBS student was allegedly gang-raped on October 10 after she stepped out of her college campus with a male friend to get food. Police have so far arrested six people, including the friend, in connection with the case, which has triggered widespread outrage and political uproar across the state.