MLA Madan Mitra’s recent comments on the rape case at South Kolkata Law College has increased the discomfort of the state’s ruling party Trinamool Congress. TMC on Sunday issued a show-cause notice to Mitra following his controversial remarks on the crime that has rocked West Bengal once again.
Mitra on Saturday suggested that the alleged gang rape of the student could have been avoided had she taken a few friends along or informed someone before visiting the college. “This incident has sent a message to girls that if someone calls you when the college is closed, don’t go; nothing good will come of it. If that girl had not gone there, this incident wouldn’t have happened,” he said.
The incident, which involved three accused linked to TMC’s student wing Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) has triggered widespread outrage. In response to Mitra’s remarks, the party issued a public statement distancing itself, calling his comments “personal” and condemned it “unequivocally”.
In a subsequent post on his official X handle, Mitra denied shielding the accused and claimed his comments were being deliberately distorted by a motivated group to malign the party.
However, the damage control continued as TMC state president Subrata Bakshi formally served a show-cause notice to Mitra on Sunday, accusing him of breaching party discipline.
In the letter, Bakshi wrote, “Your comments have adversely affected the image of the party and go against our zero-tolerance stance on such matters. Your remarks were unsolicited, unnecessary and insensitive.” Mitra has been asked to respond within three days.
The MLA has yet to issue a response to the party’s notice.