Kolkata, 2 July (H.S.): The political temperature in West Bengal has soared following controversial remarks by Dr. Manas Ranjan Bhunia, Minister of Irrigation and Waterways in the Mamata Banerjee-led government, over the recent gangrape of a 24-year-old student in a South Kolkata law college. Dr. Bhunia referred to the incident as a small issue, triggering widespread outrage and a sharp reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking at an event at Kolkata Medical College on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day, the minister said, “When any minor incident happens, some people start crying as if a calamity has struck.” He further added, “Our people were killed in Pahalgam, yet no one has been arrested. But the BJP keeps targeting only Bengal.”

He went on to draw disturbing parallels, stating, “Even within families, such things happen—like a husband kills his wife, or the wife pushes her husband with her lover’s help.”

Minister Accuses Media of Misrepresentation

Facing backlash, Dr. Bhunia later held a press conference to clarify his remarks, alleging that his comments were misrepresented by the media. “I never mentioned Kasba or the law college incident. My words have been deliberately linked to the case,” he claimed, warning that he may take legal action if necessary.

BJP Hits Back: “Mamata’s Silence Fuelling Arrogance of TMC Leaders”

BJP IT cell head and Bengal co-in-charge Amit Malviya condemned the minister's comments, saying, “At a time when the nation is shaken by the brutal assault on a student, TMC leaders are trivializing it to curry favor with Mamata Banerjee.”

Malviya also recalled previous statements by TMC leaders, including MLA Madan Mitra and MP Kalyan Banerjee, who allegedly blamed the victim’s “fate” and downplayed the gangrape as “insignificant.” He accused the Mamata government of institutionalizing misogyny.

The BJP further alleged that the Chief Minister’s continued silence on such incidents has emboldened her party’s ministers and legislators to make irresponsible and insensitive remarks without consequence.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh