“Misogyny Cuts Across Party Lines”: Mahua Moitra Slams TMC Colleagues Over Gang‑Rape Comments

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra sharply criticised sexist remarks made by senior TMC leaders in the wake of the gang‑rape of a 24‑year‑old law student in Kolkata, asserting that “misogyny in India cuts across party lines.” Speaking on platform X, she praised TMC’s swift distancing and condemnation of MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra, whose comments triggered waves of anger and survivor‑shaming backlash  .

In her post, Moitra reiterated the party’s stance, reposting TMC’s official statement which emphasised “zero tolerance for crimes against women” and announced that the controversial remarks came from the individuals’ personal views—not those of the party  .

Banerjee had suggested that a woman should watch the company she keeps, questioning whether “a friend rapes a friend”—while Mitra implied the victim should not have gone to college alone on the night of the crime  .

Many viewed Moitra’s remarks as a forceful contrast to such statements, arguing that all parties harbour damaging gender biases. She urged political groups—including the BJP, which has protested and accused the TMC of negligence—to hold members accountable when they make sexist comments  .

The criticism follows a statement by TMC at the weekend, which dissociated from Banerjee and Mitra’s remarks, asserting they didn’t reflect the party’s values. Bengal minister Shashi Panja confirmed that the state government is pursuing the case “on a war footing,” with the accused swiftly arrested and remanded  .

The incident occurred on June 25 at South Calcutta Law College, where the 24‑year‑old woman was assaulted inside campus premises. Police have detained three suspects, including one former student linked to TMC’s student wing (TMCP), as well as a college security guard allegedly complicit in concealing the crime  .

Public reactions have been mixed—some applaud Moitra’s stance on women’s safety and internal party accountability, while others accuse her of politicising the matter. Social media trends show strong support among women’s rights advocates, though dissent remains in political quarters.

This controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of political responses to gender-based violence in India. While various parties denounce the crime, few have taken responsibility for member statements that shift blame to survivors. Moitra’s message reignites pressure on all political entities to publicly denounce sexist narratives and prioritise victim justice.