WB: Protests over Campus Gang-Rape, TMC under Fire
Samprikta Bose
THE entire state of West Bengal is reeling from two horrifying incidents, both allegedly involving the Trinamool Congress, which have thrust critical issues of violence, campus safety, political patronage, and police accountability into the spotlight.
On the day of the Kaliganj by-election results (June 23), a 10-year-old girl, Tamanna Khatun, the daughter of a CPI(M) supporter, was tragically killed by a socket bomb hurled from a Trinamool Congress procession in Molyandi village. This brutal act has sent shockwaves across the state.
In another appalling incident, the sanctity of South Calcutta Law College, a respected institution of legal education, was shattered. Revelations have surfaced that, after dusk, the campus reportedly turns into a "crime den," allegedly under the control of Trinamool Congress student leaders. The grim reality came to light following the horrific gang-rape of a 24-year-old law student on the college premises, sparking statewide outrage and public protest.
The survivor’s nightmare began on the evening of June 25, between 7:30 PM and 10:50 PM, in a security guard’s room adjacent to the student union office. Although student union elections in state-run colleges have been suspended by the Trinamool government since 2017, the union rooms remain accessible, reportedly misused by outsiders and Trinamool workers.
The young law student, who was at the college to submit her examination forms, was reportedly cornered and assaulted by 30-year-old Manojit Mishra, a former student and current contractual non-teaching staff member. Police sources suggest Mishra initiated the attack after the survivor rejected his marriage proposal.
Despite being an active member of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) and belonging to a family that supports the TMC, the survivor was subjected to brutal physical assault and chilling threats including the murder of her boyfriend and family if she spoke out. She also alleged that the entire assault was filmed and the threat of the video’s release was used to silence her.
A medical examination confirmed the severity of the sexual assault, recording evidence of “forceful penetration, bite marks, and nail scratches.” Following the FIR, Kolkata Police arrested four individuals: Manojit Mishra; Zaib Ahmed, 19, a first-year student; Pramit Mukhopadhyay, 20, a second-year student; and Pinaki Bandyopadhyay, 55, the college’s security guard. In response, the college administration expelled Mishra, Ahmed, and Mukhopadhyay, and terminated Mishra’s employment.
A key element of this unfolding scandal is Mishra’s alleged deep ties with the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad. Social media is now flooded with images of Mishra alongside senior TMC leaders. Locals in his Kalighat neighbourhood claim he was a key operator in the “vote machinery” of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with Abhishek Banerjee as his political idol. Mishra reportedly has a criminal record, including charges of attempted murder, yet appears to have operated with disturbing impunity under political protection.
POLITICAL PATRONAGE AND IMPUNITY
The incident has unleashed a torrent of public condemnation, much of it directed squarely at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party stands accused of fostering a culture of impunity and allowing individuals with criminal backgrounds to wield influence within educational institutions, a charge that strikes at the core of governance and public trust.
Although the TMC officially denounced the gang-rape incident as “barbaric,” the credibility of this position has been seriously undermined by controversial statements from its own members and ongoing allegations of shielding the accused. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee drew widespread outrage by remarking, “What can be done if a friend rapes his friend? Will the police be there in schools?” MLA Madan Mitra also faced sharp criticism for victim-blaming when he said, “If someone calls you when the college is closed, then don’t go.”
These remarks have intensified perceptions that the party’s condemnation is disingenuous, aimed more at damage control than addressing the root of the problem. In an apparent attempt to contain the fallout, the TMC has distanced itself from the comments and issued a show-cause notice to Mitra.
TMC leaders called for swift justice and expressed support for the victim, but the opposition remains deeply skeptical, pointing to the accused’s known political affiliations. These official statements are little more than a public relations exercise, failing to address the deeper issue of political interference in law enforcement and the shielding of criminal elements.
The role of the Kolkata Police has come under intense scrutiny. While their eventual arrests were welcomed, many criticised the initial response as sluggish and negligent. Early protests reflected public distrust, with slogans questioning whether police were “guarding the rapists.”
To address public concern, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted. Police sources now suggest the attack was premeditated and that the victim was specifically targeted. Investigations include detailed examination of CCTV footage and forensic evidence. The victim’s statement has been recorded, and she has undergone critical medical and psychological evaluations.
One of the most disturbing revelations has come from the arrest of college security guard Pinaki Bandyopadhyay. Police allege that Bandyopadhyay, who had a close relationship with the prime accused Manojit Mishra, locked the main college gate at Mishra’s request, effectively trapping the victim and enabling the assault. While Bandyopadhyay initially claimed Mishra attacked and forced him out of the room, CCTV footage reportedly contradicts this, placing him inside the premises during the incident.
Further damning is Bandyopadhyay’s reported admission that the college routinely turned into a hub for Trinamool Congress leaders and their associates after 2 PM, with “drinking, feasting, and socialising” continuing late into the night. Despite being aware of the misconduct and having contacts in the nearby Kasba police station, Bandyopadhyay allegedly made no effort to intervene or report the crime. He further told investigators that when he raised concerns with the college authorities, he was instructed to “stay silent.”
KOLKATA ERUPTS
Kolkata has been swept by a wave of protests following the horrific gang-rape of a law student. Citizens are demanding swift justice and urgent improvements in women's safety, particularly within educational institutions.
At the forefront of the protest is Abhaya Mancha, a prominent platform advocating accountability in campuses and highlighting administrative failures in ensuring women’s safety. When police lathi-charged early protestors, doctors from Abhaya Mancha set up a makeshift clinic to provide immediate medical aid. Public anger intensified further when police obstructed a planned citizens' protest march from Gariahat to Hazra.
The CPI(M) and Left Front swiftly condemned the incident, demanding strict punishment and highlighting the growing insecurity faced by women across the state. CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Salim stated, “The gang rape of a student, allegedly by a former TMC leader, has again exposed the dark reality of TMC’s misrule.”
Protest marches erupted across Kolkata, including a large gathering at Bijon Setu, where common citizens joined Left leaders. Demonstrations in various districts demanded an end to the "continued escalation of insecurity." The Kolkata District Left Front submitted a formal deputation to the local police station, demanding accountability.
Student, youth, and women’s wings of the Left – SFI, DYFI, and AIDWA – led several spirited protests. Demonstrations took place outside South Calcutta Law College and Kasba police station, often resulting in clashes with police.
Several organisations, including the All Bengal Teachers’ Association and Calcutta University Teachers’ Association, issued strong statements condemning the administration’s inaction. They identified the “ineptitude” of the state and the “lumpen rule of the ruling party” as the root causes of such horrific incidents.
As Kolkata grapples with the trauma of this shocking crime, the pressure on the authorities to deliver swift, transparent justice and to ensure long-term reforms to protect women, continues to mount. The protests stand as a powerful and resolute reminder that the battle for a just, equitable, and safe society is far from over.
