'Shielding Criminals': Kalyan Banerjee Slams TMC After Party Distances Itself From Rape Remark

Last Updated:June 29, 2025, 07:35 IST

Kalyan Banerjee hit back at his own party after it distanced itself from his controversial remark on the alleged rape of a law student in Kolkata.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee in the Lok Sabha. (PTI file photo)

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee hit back at his own party on Saturday after it distanced itself from his controversial remarks on the alleged rape of a 24-year-old law student in South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata’s Kasba on June 25.

Notably, Kalyan Banerjee sparked a massive political row in West Bengal after he said only a few men commit such crimes and questioned what could be done if a friend raped another friend.

“I am not an advocate of the incident that occurred at the Law College, but the accused should be arrested. A few men commit this type of crime…But what can be done if a friend rapes his friend? Will the police be in schools? This was done by students to another student. Who will protect her?" he said.

TMC Distances Itself From Banerjee’s Remarks

His remarks were strongly criticised by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Banerjee of showing sympathy towards the accused. Matters became worse when TMC MLA Madan Mitra appeared to blame the survivor herself.

TMC distanced itself from the remarks of its party leaders, saying, “The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College were made in their personal capacities."

“The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same. These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever. Our stance remains resolute; we have zero tolerance for crimes against women and demand the strictest possible punishment for all those involved in this heinous crime."

Kalyan Banerjee’s Response

On Saturday, Kalyan Banerjee responded to the TMC censure, defending his remarks and questioning if the party is indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals.

“I completely disagree with the post made by @AITCofficial on X. Are they indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals? Mere academic statements won’t bring any real change unless immediate action is taken against those leaders directly responsible," he said.

“What’s even more unfortunate is that some of the leaders who emerged after 2011 are themselves under question in such crimes. I also wish to clearly distance myself from those who are encouraging or protecting these criminals. To truly understand the intent behind my words and statements, a certain level of moral and intellectual alignment is required — which, unfortunately, seems to be missing," he added.

His remarks came after TMC MP Mahua Moitra shared the party’s statement on X and said while misogyny cuts across party lines, what makes her party different is that it condemns “disgusting comments no matter who makes them".

The remarks come after the alleged rape of a law student in South Calcutta Law College. Manojit Mishra, 31, is the prime accused who has been taken into custody, along with Zaib Ahmed, 19, Pramit Mukhopadhyay, 20, and Pinaki Banerjee, 55.

The case has heightened concerns over safety of women in Kolkata campuses, coming less than a year after the dastardly rape and murder case of a post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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News politics 'Shielding Criminals': Kalyan Banerjee Slams TMC After Party Distances Itself From Rape Remark