Amid the outrage over allegations of gang rape of a medical student at Durgapur, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on Sunday (October 11, 2025) asking girl students residing in hostels not to venture out at night triggered a fresh controversy.
Speaking to media persons, the Chief Minister said, “Especially girl children at night time... they should not be allowed to come outside. They have to protect themselves also.”
Watch | ‘Girls have to protect themselves’: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee vows to take action in Durgapur rape case
The sexual assault survivor at Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district is an MBBS student at a private medical college. The student, who hails from Odisha, had reportedly gone out of the college with a male friend on Friday night (October 10, 2025). She was allegedly gang-raped by unidentified men near the college campus.
The Chief Minister also emphasised that private medical colleges should also take responsibility for their students, as the police could not keep a watch on every house. “If someone goes out at 12:30 a.m... anyone can go anywhere that is their right... but there is a system for those who stay in hostels.”
