‘Shielding Criminals?’: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Hits Out At Own Party After It Distances Itself From Controversial Rape Remark

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee has publicly lashed out at his own party, accusing it of shielding leaders “under question” in crimes against women. His statement comes after the TMC officially distanced itself from his controversial remarks regarding the rape of a 24-year-old law student at South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata's Kasba on June 25.

Banerjee, who sparked outrage after appearing to downplay the incident, has now questioned the party’s moral compass and alleged selective silence on the actions of other leaders.

‘What Can Be Done If a Friend Rapes a Friend?’

Banerjee’s initial comments ignited a political storm in West Bengal. “I am not an advocate of the incident that occurred at the Law College, but the accused should be arrested,” he said, adding, “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?”

His statement drew immediate condemnation from the BJP, which accused him of sympathising with the accused. Tensions escalated further when fellow TMC MLA Madan Mitra appeared to blame the survivor herself in a separate remark.

In response, the TMC issued a strong statement disassociating itself from both leaders. “The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra… were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself and strongly condemns the same,” it said, adding that it maintains “zero tolerance for crimes against women.”

‘Mere Statements Won’t Bring Change’: Banerjee Retorts

Doubling down on his stance, Banerjee fired back at the party on Saturday. “I completely disagree with the post made by @AITCofficial on X. Are they indirectly supporting the leaders who are shielding these criminals?” he asked.

He further alleged that some party leaders who rose after 2011 are themselves under suspicion in similar cases. “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 said.

The backlash comes after the arrest of four accused, Manojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20), and Pinaki Banerjee (55), in the South Kolkata rape case, which has reignited concerns over campus safety for women in the city.