Misogyny in Indian Politics: Trinamool Congress MP Calls Out Party Leaders

Taking a direct jab at her party leaders' controversial statements they made while referring to the Kolkata law student's gangrape, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday said that misogyny exists in every party, adding that the Mamata Banerjee-led political outfit is different as it does not shy away from condemning its own leaders for their loose talk.

Moitra was referring to a Trinamool statement in which it dissociated itself from party MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra's controversial comments with regard to the law student's gang-rape, which has created a huge public outcry in the state.

In remarks that shocked, Kalyan Banerjee said on Friday that a woman should be aware of the company she keeps before going out with men who have 'dirty mindsets'. Madan Mitra resorted to survivor-shaming, stating that the law student could have avoided the fate had she not gone to college alone.

'Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates Trinamool Congress is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them,' Moitra posted on social media, tagging a TMC post, in which it made its official stand clear on the party leaders' statements.

Earlier, Trinamool Congress issued a statement, saying that the statements given by Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra were made in their personal capacities, and that they did not reflect the party's official position.

'Our stance remains resolute; we have zero tolerance for crimes against women and demand the strictest possible punishment for all those involved in this heinous crime,' the party added.

Moitra also criticized the BJP for politicizing the issue and demanded justice for the victim. The Trinamool Congress condemned the gang-rape and stood firmly with the woman and her family.

A 24-year-old woman student of South Calcutta Law College was gang-raped, leading to the arrest of three men and a college security guard. The main accused is a former student and current general secretary of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) in South Kolkata.

According to the source: India Today.