Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar was released from the Lalbazar police headquarters on Saturday after being detained during a protest against the alleged gangrape of a law student at South Calcutta Law College.
Speaking to reporters after his release, Majumdar lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee-led state government, saying, “When government police sleep, someone has to wake up. The BJP is doing that work.”
Majumdar, who was joined by 32 BJP workers during the protest, had earlier refused to sign a bail bond, choosing instead to remain in custody at the Lalbazar police headquarters as a mark of protest. He declared, “If I have to get arrested 1,000 times for West Bengal, I am ready to do so.”
The BJP’s protest was part of a statewide agitation demanding justice for the 24-year-old victim, who was allegedly gangraped by three men — including a college alumnus — on June 25. The victim claimed the college security guard failed to intervene. Four people, including the guard, have since been arrested.
The incident, coming just 10 months after the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case, has sparked a fresh political storm in the state. The BJP has alleged links between the accused and top Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, intensifying its demand for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation.
Apart from the BJP, other opposition parties, including the Congress and CPI(M), have staged separate protests. The CPI(M) also organised a ‘Mashal March’ seeking justice for the survivor.
Meanwhile, the medico-legal examination of the victim has been completed, and her statement recorded. The police have recreated the crime scene and are continuing investigations. Deputy Commissioner Bidisha Kalita confirmed the progress, adding that both legal and psychological support have been extended to the survivor.
The BJP has formed a four-member committee to probe the incident and report back to party president JP Nadda. The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance and called for a time-bound investigation into the case.