Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee's remarks on the alleged rape of a 24-year-old student at South Calcutta Law College have sparked strong criticism from the opposition BJP in West Bengal. Banerjee, the MP from Sreerampur, made statements that the BJP has condemned as "shameful" and lacking in accountability.

Responding to media questions about the incident, Banerjee said, “What can be done if a friend rapes a friend? Should police be deployed in schools? This incident occurred between students. Who is responsible for her protection?” He further added, “Who commits such crimes? Some men do. Women must stand up and fight against these perverted individuals.”

TMC MP comes out in support of rapists!
In Kasba, a college student has been gang-raped by a TMCP leader and his gang. But TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee calls women’s safety concerns a mere “political agenda.”

In the RG Kar rape case, as Bengal rose in protest through “Raat Jago,”… pic.twitter.com/GL0r9TM0ee

— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) June 27, 2025

BJP Slams the Remarks

The BJP strongly objected to Banerjee’s comments, accusing him of dodging institutional responsibility and failing to address the fact that one of the accused is reportedly a student leader from the Trinamool Congress's student wing.

Banerjee, however, dismissed these connections, stating that crime is not limited to any political party or organisation. He reiterated, “I have said this multiple times—whoever committed the crime must be arrested. But if a friend rapes a friend, how can that be linked to corruption?”