Trinamool MP resigns over party’s handling of Kolkata rape-murder case

Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar resigned from his parliamentary post, citing frustration with the West Bengal government's response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College.

In his resignation letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sircar expressed dismay over the "unchecked overbearing attitude of the favoured few and the corrupt" within his own party.

Sircar, who had not been able to speak privately with Banerjee for several months, criticized the lack of action against corrupt officials and voiced his disappointment in the government's failure to address the issue. He stated that corruption and strong-arm tactics among certain leaders were being ignored, leaving him increasingly disillusioned.

The resignation follows widespread protests over the brutal crime, which has sparked public outrage.

Sircar noted the growing discontent with the TMC government, describing a deep loss of trust among the people. "In all my years, I have not seen such angst and total no-confidence against the government, even when it says something correct or factual," he wrote.

Sircar had hoped for Banerjee to intervene with the agitating junior doctors, but felt that the government's delayed and insufficient response had only exacerbated the situation. He warned the TMC to adopt a non-confrontational approach, emphasizing that the protests were driven by a desire for justice, not political motives.

In his letter, Sircar announced his decision to step back from politics while reaffirming his commitment to fighting corruption, communalism, and authoritarianism. He also urged the party to address internal issues, warning that failure to do so could allow "communal forces" to gain influence in the state.

Mamata Banerjee has recently faced internal criticism from party members, with TMC leaders like Santanu Sen and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray questioning the handling of the RG Kar incident and the police investigation into the doctor’s death.

Sircar's letter comes ahead of a large-scale statewide protest, which is expected to be a focal point of a global chain of demonstrations organized by the expat Bengali community in response to the incident.

"The government's actions have been 'too little, too late,'" Sircar stated, referring to the government's slow response to the protests following the incident at RG Kar Hospital.

Coinciding with Sircar's letter, the state government published a full-page advertisement in major newspapers, outlining new measures aimed at improving women's safety. However, Sircar's letter underscored a deepening dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation and the growing discontent within the party ranks.