How did she come out at 12.30 am? Mamata Banerjee faces backlash over remarks on Durgapur gang rape

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday questioned how the Durgapur gang rape victim was outside her college premises at 12.30 am, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP.

"This is a private college. 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 a forest area. I do not know what happened. The investigation is on," Banerjee said. "Private medical colleges also should take care of their students, especially girls. The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also," she added.

The alleged gang rape took place in a forested area near the IQ City Medical College and Hospital in Durgapur, where the victim -- a second-year MBBS student from Odisha -- was reportedly assaulted. Three accused have been arrested so far. Police said they were conducting raids to trace others involved.

BJP condemned the chief minister's comments, accusing her of showing "insensitivity" toward the victim and deflecting responsibility. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said Banerjee’s words amounted to blaming the survivor rather than standing with her.

"In yet another disgraceful remark, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed the second-year MBBS student from Odisha, studying at IQ City Medical College & Hospital, Durgapur, for her own assault,” Malviya said in a post on X. "She suggested that girls should not go out late at night, implying that if they do, they are inviting rape. Time and again, she has chosen to blame the victim instead of the perpetrators. A Chief Minister who cannot stand with women in their darkest hour has no moral right to govern," he added.

The BJP leader also alleged that Banerjee's statement reflected a pattern of insensitivity, saying this was "not the first time" she had made such remarks after a crime against women.

Mamata, meanwhile, described the alleged gang rape as "shocking" and said her government had "zero tolerance" for such crimes. She said three people had been arrested, while a search was on for others involved. "Nobody will be excused. Whoever is guilty will be punished strictly. Three people have already been arrested. We will take stringent action," Banerjee told reporters, adding that police had intensified the search for other suspects.

She also compared the Durgapur case to similar incidents in other states, saying crimes against women were a national concern and not limited to West Bengal. "When it happens in other states, it is also condemnable. Such incidents have taken place in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha. The governments there must also take stringent action," she said.

The chief minister said her government would ensure swift justice and cited previous cases where West Bengal courts had delivered verdicts within months.

"In our state, we filed charge sheets within one to two months, and the lower court gave the order to hang the accused. We will take stringent action this time as well," she said. Banerjee maintained that the police were investigating the case thoroughly and that no one involved would be spared.