Kolkata doc rape-murder: Pradhan attacks Mamata, says no room for politics

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for accusing the opposition parties of being behind the vandalism at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital saying that there can be "no room for politics" on the rape and murder of the junior doctor.

Pradhan alleged that Banerjee's attempt to cover up, stifle dissent and shield perpetrators raises serious questions.

"There has been complete systemic failure in West Bengal time and again. But the blame lies on 'Bam and Ram'. Absolutely disgusting, shameful and reprehensible statement from Mamata Didi. The day is not far when Mamata Didi will even blame aliens and extraterrestrials for her misrule," Pradhan wrote in a post on X.

"With appeasement politics as her fulcrum of politics, Mamata Didi still has to take refuge of Lord Ram to cover her abysmal failures. Justice needs to be delivered and perpetrators need to be dealt with the harshest punishment. There can be no room for politics on the horrific rape and murder of the junior doctor," he said.

"Mamata Didi's attempt to cover-up, stifle dissent and shield perpetrators raises serious questions. Expecting safety of women, speedy trial, justice and impartiality from her is out of question," the union minister added.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime the next day.

Unidentified miscreants entered the premises of the hospital shortly after midnight on Thursday and vandalised portions of the medical facility, where the body of the woman doctor was found.

The vandalism took place amid midnight protests by women against the rape-murder incident.