Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh on Saturday launched a strong attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of inaction amid rising crimes against women in the state. His remarks follow public outrage over the alleged gangrape of a student inside a law college in Kolkata’s Kasba area.
Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, “Crimes against women are increasing in West Bengal, and women are afraid to step out of their homes. Mamata Banerjee does not see such incidents. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) should at least condemn such acts.”
Ghosh also criticized TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee’s controversial response to the gangrape case, in which the MP remarked, “What can be done if a friend rapes his friend?” Calling it a “shameful” statement, Ghosh said, “He is a senior leader and lawyer. He should be motivating people to stand up against such crimes, not trivialising them.”
The incident in question occurred at South Calcutta Law College, where a female student was allegedly gang-raped on campus. Police have arrested the three accused—Monojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20)—all of whom were either former students or staff members of the college. They are expected to be presented before the ACJM of Alipore with a request for police custody to continue the investigation.
Ghosh also backed recent remarks by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who questioned the inclusion of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the Constitution’s Preamble. Ghosh echoed this sentiment, claiming these terms were not part of the original text and asserting that they would be removed “at the right time.”
“The Constitution was insulted 50 years ago. Everyone should know how the Congress, which claims to uphold democracy, once ran a bureaucratic rule. These added words go against the spirit of the original Constitution,” Ghosh said.
The remarks come at a time when the state is witnessing a renewed focus on women’s safety and political debate over constitutional principles ahead of upcoming electoral battles.