‘TMC-Associated Goons Committing Atrocities on Daughters of Bengal’: Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Mamata Govt Over Kolkata Gang Rape Case

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has strongly condemned the alleged gang rape of a law college student in Kolkata, accusing individuals linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of committing repeated atrocities against women in West Bengal. He also criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for remaining silent on the matter, calling the incident another blow to the conscience of the nation.

Speaking at an event in Panihati, North 24 Parganas district, Pradhan expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, particularly in relation to women’s safety. Drawing comparisons to earlier incidents, including the rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College, he alleged that such brutalities are being carried out by people with direct or indirect connections to the TMC.

“In a state that gave birth to icons like Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar — a state that once led the way for the rest of the nation — we now see shocking incidents of violence against women, allegedly at the hands of those backed by the ruling party,” Pradhan said.

In the RG Kar case, a civic police volunteer was involved, and in the current case, he said there are reports linking former TMC student wing leaders to the crime. These developments, he noted, have shaken the conscience of the nation and raised serious questions about the safety of women in the state.

Pradhan questioned Mamata Banerjee’s continued silence and warned that the people of West Bengal will deliver a strong message in the 2026 Assembly elections. “We don’t know when Mamata Didi will finally take note of these incidents, but the people will respond when the time comes to dismantle this brutal, inhuman regime,” he said.

He further added that BJP leaders would raise the issue through institutional and public channels. While Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari would confront the government in the assembly, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar would lead protests on the streets.

Later, at an event with BJP-aligned academics, Pradhan emphasized the state’s responsibility in ensuring campus safety. He called for tighter surveillance at educational institutions, stricter control over entry of outsiders during working hours, and measures to prevent the presence of individuals with criminal backgrounds.

He also questioned the state government’s reluctance to conduct student union elections in colleges. “Why is the TMC government avoiding student polls? Why are people with criminal records being appointed or allowed to run student bodies?” he asked, alleging that former TMCP leaders have been intimidating students and acting unchecked for years.

Calling for spontaneous public resistance, Pradhan urged the people of Bengal to rise up against what he termed a “ruthless and lawless” regime.