‘Girls shouldn’t go out at night’: Mamata Banerjee makes controversial remark on Bengal gang-rape

While talking to the media after the arrest of three persons for their alleged involvement in the incident, Banerjee asked 'how did the victim come out of college at 12.30 am?'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday made a problematic remark on the alleged gang-rape of a student of a private medical college in Paschim Bardhaman district. The CM said that "girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night" as they also have the responsibly to protect themselves.

While talking to the media persons after the arrest of three persons for their alleged involvement in the incident, Banerjee asked "how did the victim come out of college at 12.30 am?"

"The girl was studying in a private medical college. How did she come out at 12.30 am? As far as I know, the incident took place in the forest area. I do not know what happened. The investigation is on. I'm shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges also should take care of their students, and especially girls," she said.

"...The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also. There is a forest area," she added.

The TMC supremo also alleged that West Bengal is singled out when such incidents take place. "Three weeks ago, three girls were raped on the beach in Odisha. What action is being taken by the Odisha government?" she asked.

"It is also condemnable when it happens in other states. Such incidents have taken place in Manipur, UP, Bihar, Odisha; we also think the government must take stringent action there. In our state, we charge-sheeted the people within 1-2 months, and the lower court gave the order to hang the accused," she told the reporters.

On the Drugapur incident, she said that nobody will be excused and the guilty will be punished strictly.

The medical college student hailing from Odisha's Jaleswar was allegedly raped by some men in Durgapur, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place outside the campus of the private medical college in Durgapur on Friday night when the second-year student went out with one of her friends for dinner.

The woman's parents, who rushed to Durgapur from Odisha, lodged an FIR with the New Township police station.

The health condition of the survivor was stated to be "improving" as she is undergoing treatment at the private college and hospital where she was studying, the officer said, adding she has given her statement to the law enforcers.

(With PTI inputs)