Kolkata: A fresh controversy has erupted in West Bengal after Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy echoed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent comment suggesting women should not be out late at night. Roy said that while the state government has taken strong measures to ensure safety, it is not possible for the police to be present “everywhere” and women should “avoid going out late at night.” His remarks came amid public anger over the alleged gang-rape of a second-year MBBS student in Durgapur, which has already triggered a fierce political and social backlash.
“Such cases are rare in Bengal. Women’s safety in Bengal is better than in any other place… But women shouldn’t leave their colleges so late at night, as the police can’t patrol everywhere… Police cannot be present on every road; police can take action after an incident occurs… So, women should also be cautious,” he told ANI.
Roy’s statement follows Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s own controversial remarks on the same case last week, when she questioned why the survivor was “outside at 12:30 am” and advised private colleges not to allow girls to step out late. The chief minister’s words drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, women’s rights activists, and the victim’s family, who said the survivor had not gone out after midnight, refuting the chief minister’s claim.
Roy’s comment has only deepened the row, with opposition parties accusing the TMC of endorsing victim blaming instead of addressing law and order lapses. BJP leaders slammed both Banerjee and Roy for what they called a “Taliban-like mindset,” arguing that such statements divert attention from the state’s policing failures. “When leaders start telling women to stay home instead of ensuring their safety, it shows the government’s priorities,” said BJP spokesperson Agnimitra Paul, terming the remarks “shameful and regressive.”
Women’s groups across Bengal have also condemned the statements, saying they reinforce patriarchal attitudes and shift responsibility from the state to victims. Many activists pointed out that comments like these discourage women from reporting crimes and normalize restrictions on their freedom. “Safety cannot mean curfew. It means accountability, stronger policing, and social change,” said one activist.
The controversy has put the TMC on the defensive ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, with critics accusing the party of moralizing rather than governing. The Durgapur case has already raised questions over the state’s handling of crimes against women, and the latest remarks by senior party leaders have only intensified the political storm. Opposition parties have demanded an apology from both Mamata Banerjee and Saugata Roy, calling their comments insensitive and unacceptable.
Even as police continue their probe into the Durgapur incident, the focus has shifted sharply to the government’s tone in responding to such crimes.
