In India, of late, protests are no longer about justice, they have become a means of political convenience. Another rape in the state and some — not all — in an attempt to add mileage to their political aspirations have taken to the streets. Even the honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal had done so to appear ‘politically correct’ by trying to seek ‘justice’ for the RG Kar victim. Effectively, protesting against her own government?
CM Mamata Banerjee has drawn backlash for her objectionable comments whenever a case of rape or gang-rape is reported from the state. Her remarks often suggest that she is shaming the victim rather than showing empathy.
In the Durgapur gang-rape case, too, her statements have become the focus of public anger. Instead of admitting the failure of the system to provide safety to the women of the state, the chief minister is calling out the second-year MBBS student for stepping out of the college at night. She even went ahead to find faults with the officials of the private college for allowing the girl to go out at night.
The CM added that the girl was out of the college at around 12.30 am. One wonders what time CM Banerjee thinks would be ‘appropriate’ for girls to step out at night. Or, more importantly, till what hour can women in her state expect police protection?
Such insensitive remarks do more harm than good. They only shift the onus of the crime and embolden those with criminal instincts who get a leeway to justify their acts.
Additionally, CM Banerjee also needs to understand that comparing the law and order situation of other states — especially those ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party — does not guarantee her the right to nullify every wrongdoing that takes place in her state. Each one of us is entitled to have their own opinions about right and wrong. Alas, politicians’ understanding in this case, too, is far-fetched.
People of West Bengal had elected Mamata Banerjee to power, expecting her to create a robust system of governance, which can act as a symbol when it comes to bringing the culprit to justice. Not to stay mum when it comes to women's safety in West Bengal just because the conditions in other states are even more abysmal.
Returning to her comments, CM Banerjee, though condemned the RG Kar incident, but downplayed it with her trademark response by calling it a political vendetta. Who can forget the rape of a woman that took place at Park Street in 2012!? How compassionless the chief minister appeared when she dubbed the whole incident as ‘fabricated’. Later, her claim fell flat after the investigation gave proof of the horrendous crime.
In 2013, Kamduni gang-rape and murder case, CM Banerjee accused the victim’s family of being Maoists or CPM agents who were trying to malign the image of the Trinamool Congress government.
Also read: BJP begins six-day dharna in Durgapur over student's gang-rape
A 14-year-old girl was raped in Hanskhali in 2022, then too the CM tried to trivialise the crime by victim-blaming. She, reportedly, remarked that the girl was having an affair with the boy and was possibly pregnant.
When a woman chief minister makes such remarks, it is often viewed as betrayal, as she is expected to be a champion for women's rights and safety. This is seen as her failure to break from the patriarchal mindset, despite holding the highest executive office.
Moreover, publicly blaming the victim — her going out at night, clothes or character— adds a ‘second assault’ of humiliation and shame leading to secondary victimisation, thereby giving official sanction to deeply ingrained misogynistic attitudes.
It silences the victim and other survivors from pursuing justice. It shatters the public's, especially women's, faith in the government and law-enforcement agencies.
However, the statements by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the backdrop of the Durgapur incident had one ‘positive’ element, that is, ‘women will have to protect themselves’. Certainly, in a society where women’s attire and her choice of life are continuously under a scanner, which time and again are used against her, it is she who is only expected to stand in her favour against all adversities, since everything else that is meant to protect her dignity is hogwash.
Also read: All five accused held in Durgapur rape case: WB Police
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