Kolkata, 1 July (H.S.): Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Madan Mitra has issued an unconditional apology to the party following a public backlash over his controversial comments related to the alleged gangrape of a law student in Kolkata's Kasba area. In his written response to a show-cause notice issued by the party, Mitra admitted his mistake and expressed deep regret over his remarks.
The incident, involving the sexual assault of a 24-year-old college student inside a law institute in Kasba, has sparked widespread outrage across West Bengal. The Kolkata Police acted swiftly, arresting the accused within 12 hours of the complaint, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case.
However, the situation escalated politically when Mitra, the MLA from Kamarhati, made controversial remarks about the survivor’s attire and behavior. His comments were widely condemned as insensitive and inappropriate, further intensifying public anger.
In response, TMC state president Subrata Bakshi issued a show-cause notice to Mitra on Sunday, demanding an explanation within three days. According to party sources, Mitra submitted his response ahead of the deadline on Monday night. In a brief letter, he accepted responsibility for his statements and apologized unconditionally, stating that if his comments had harmed the party’s image in any way, he sincerely regretted it.
Mitra further assured party leadership that he would adhere strictly to party discipline in the future and exercise greater caution while making public statements.
The controversy comes amid heightened political sensitivity, as another senior TMC leader and MP, Kalyan Banerjee, also made a contentious statement regarding the Kasba case. While the party did not endorse Banerjee’s remarks, he too was reportedly cautioned by the leadership.
Concerned about potential damage to its public image, the Trinamool Congress has moved swiftly to contain the fallout, emphasizing accountability within its ranks and reaffirming its commitment to justice in the Kasba case.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
