Rift Widens Within TMC Amid Ongoing Protests Over Kolkata Rape-Murder Case

The ongoing protests following the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata have led to a widening rift within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), with factions loyal to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee openly disagreeing on how to address the crisis. Demonstrations, now entering their second month, have shown no signs of abating, with the protests taking on a political tone.

At a TMC student rally on August 28, Mamata Banerjee hinted at taking legal action against protesters but warned that such measures could ruin their careers. "I never wanted revenge," she said, adding, “The ugly, slanderous one that bites you every day, you don’t bite him, but you can hiss.” Her remarks were perceived as a veiled threat, drawing criticism and forcing her to clarify that her “hiss” comment was not meant to be taken literally.

In contrast, Abhishek Banerjee, on September 2, called for restraint in a social media post, urging TMC leaders to be "humble and sympathetic" while supporting the medical community’s right to protest. His post emphasized the need for constructive actions and unity in seeking justice for the victim.

However, tensions within the party deepened, with some TMC leaders, like MP Arup Chakraborty and councillor’s husband Atish Sarkar, making inflammatory remarks against the protesters. While Sarkar was swiftly suspended from the party, Chakraborty’s comments escalated the rhetoric, with him calling for supporters to “hiss” at the demonstrators.

Adding to the internal discord, senior TMC leaders such as Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray openly sided with the protesters, participating in the "Reclaim the Night" demonstrations. Ray's social media posts, drawing parallels to the French Revolution, further fueled speculation about divisions within the party. Former MP Santanu Sen also voiced support for the protests, denouncing former medical college principal Sandip Ghosh, who was arrested over corruption charges.

TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar downplayed the disagreements, asserting that Mamata and Abhishek were addressing different issues—targeting political opposition rather than the medical fraternity. Nonetheless, the ongoing unrest and internal friction within the TMC raise questions about the party’s ability to navigate the crisis.