Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, publicly accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal of "openly protecting rapists." The remarks were made during an election rally in Barrackpore, West Bengal, where the Prime Minister specifically referenced the alleged gang rape case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the incidents of sexual assault and land grab reported in Sandeshkhali.

The Prime Minister's statements came as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, intensifying the political discourse surrounding law and order, particularly women's safety, in the state. He asserted that the people of West Bengal would not tolerate such alleged actions and called upon Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to address the accusations directly.

During his address, Prime Minister Modi criticized the TMC's foundational "Maa-Mati-Manush" (Mother, Motherland, People) slogan, claiming it had devolved into "only rape, torture and corruption." He emphasized that women's safety has become a significant concern in West Bengal, portraying the state as one where "criminals have a free hand and honest citizens are struggling."

Key details highlighted during the Prime Minister's address include:

  • RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Case: The Prime Minister referred to allegations of a gang rape incident that reportedly occurred within the premises of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
  • Sandeshkhali Incidents: This case involves widespread allegations of sexual assault, land encroachment, and forced labor against local TMC leaders, most notably Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates, in the Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas district. The Calcutta High Court has since transferred the investigation of these cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
  • Government's Alleged Role: Prime Minister Modi specifically accused the TMC government of attempting to shield the primary accused in the Sandeshkhali cases, implying a systemic failure or deliberate obstruction of justice.

The accusations are particularly significant given the sensitive nature of the cases and their timing amidst a heated electoral battle in West Bengal. The BJP has consistently sought to make women's safety and governance failures central themes in its campaign against the ruling TMC in the state. The Trinamool Congress has yet to issue a formal, direct response to these specific allegations made by the Prime Minister in this context.

These high-profile political statements are expected to further fuel public debate and scrutiny over the administration of justice and law enforcement in West Bengal as the Lok Sabha elections proceed. The ongoing investigations into both the RG Kar and Sandeshkhali cases, now involving central agencies, will likely remain under close observation as political parties continue to leverage these issues in their campaigns.