Doctor’s family responds to Mamata Banerjee’s pujo call: ‘We celebrated together’
PTC News Desk: Amid the widespread outrage over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent comments urging people to ‘return to Pujo’ have provoked significant backlash.
In a media statement yesterday, the Trinamool Congress leader remarked, “It has been a month since the incident on August 9. I request that you return to the Durga Puja celebrations and ask the CBI to ensure justice as soon as possible.”
Banerjee also addressed the ongoing protests demanding justice for the victim, which have been prevalent throughout Bengal. She stated, “Protests every night disrupt many people’s lives, especially in areas with elderly residents. There are also regulations against using microphones after 10 pm, which have been overlooked. It has been a month now.”
She emphasized that the investigation is now under the purview of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), urging a swift resolution through a fast-track court. “The woman who was raped and murdered deserves justice. Bengal is facing defamation globally due to this incident. There are WhatsApp groups spreading negativity about Bengal from people who have lived and studied here and are now maligning the state,” she added.
The Chief Minister’s comments were met with sharp criticism from the victim’s family. They responded, “How can we celebrate festivals when we have lost our daughter? Would she have made such remarks if this tragedy had befallen her family? We celebrated Durga Puja with our daughter; now, we cannot celebrate Pujo or any other festival for years to come. Her remarks are insensitive,” as reported by PTI.
Opposition parties also condemned Banerjee’s comments. Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly from the BJP, questioned whether the Chief Minister viewed people as mere puppets. “Will they simply stop protesting and celebrate because you asked them to? The Pujo season hasn’t even started, and the demon has yet to be vanquished. Be patient; the power of the Mother will cleanse Bengal,” he said in a post on X.
Senior CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty criticized Banerjee, accusing her of hoping that mass protests would subside and that people would shift to a celebratory mindset, thus neglecting safety and security concerns.