New Delhi [India], October 12 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Sunday strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks following the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur, alleging that "Save the Rapist" has become the movement of her government.
Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla condemned the Chief Minister's comments and accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of failing to ensure women's safety in the state.
"In West Bengal, 'Maa Mati Manush' is not safe. It's not 'Save the Daughter' but 'Save the Rapist' that has become the movement of the Mamata Banerjee government, and that's why it's being said that the girl's fault is that she was out so late at night.. It is your responsibility to protect the daughter, and it is your government's responsibility. The same happened in the RG Kar incident too... This is a 'Save the Rapist' government... The Congress party is completely silent on this incident..." Poonawalla said.
A second-year student of a private medical college was allegedly gangraped in Durgapur on Friday night. The survivor is from Jaleswar, Odisha.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the incident and advised private medical colleges not to allow girls to go outside at night after the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur.
"I'm shocked to see the incident, but private medical colleges also should take care of their students, and especially girls. The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also. There is a forest area. Police are searching all the people," Mamata Banerjee said.
CM Banerjee condemned the incident and assured that strong action would be taken against the perpetrators.
"Nobody will be excused. Whoever is guilty will be punished strictly. Three people have already been arrested. We will take stringent action... When it happens in other states, it is also condemnable," she said.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) member Archana Majumdar visited Durgapur to investigate the recent gangrape case, following directions from the NCW chairperson to take suo motu cognisance.
Majumdar met with the victim's family, students, and local authorities, including the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Officer-in-Charge (OC).
Three persons arrested for allegedly raping a medical student in West Bengal's Durgapur were remanded to 10 days' police custody by a local court here on Sunday.
The gangrape has sparked massive outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to protect women, while the ruling TMC slammed the BJP for allegedly politicising the incident.