KOLKATA: MP Saayoni Ghosh faced hostile protests and mocking chants when she visited the family of the 12-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in West Bengal’s Baruipur.Videos circulating on social media showed members of the crowd chanting “Gaddar” and “Beimaan” at Ghosh, with some shouting, “How much were you sold for?” as she arrived in the area.The slogans appeared to target her recent departure from the TMC, along with fellow rebel leaders, with protesters branding her a “turncoat”.
Political backdrop intensifies response
Saayoni Ghosh was among 19 TMC MPs who recently joined the NCPI, led by Madan Mitra. The defection stirred political controversy, particularly in areas where the TMC retains strong roots.When Ghosh arrived in Baruipur to meet the victim’s family, the crowd’s antagonism made it clear that her new political identity had coloured public perception of her gesture.The chants of “traitor” reflected local frustration over her switch, with some accusing her of abandoning the TMC for political gain.Police initially stopped the NCPI delegation from entering the locality, but later allowed them to proceed amid heightened security.Despite the protests, Ghosh said it was important to focus on the government’s response following such crimes. “Everyone wants the maximum punishment. What matters is how quickly justice is delivered after an incident like this,” she said.Ghosh said the crime was deeply disturbing. “It feels as if this has happened to my own daughter. We have assured the family that we will stand by them in every possible way,” she said, demanding the strictest punishment for those responsible.
Leaders across parties meet family
Earlier in the day, a BJP delegation led by state urban development minister Agnimitra Paul and former MP Locket Chatterjee met the victim’s parents.Paul claimed the family expressed satisfaction with the administration’s handling of the case and said strict action must be taken in crimes against women, news agency PTI reported.Leader of the opposition Ritabrata Banerjee also visited the family along with rebel TMC leaders Chandrima Bhattacharya and Seuli Saha, demanding capital punishment for those involved. “We have assured the family that we will stand by them till justice is delivered,” Bhattacharya said.On Monday, several senior TMC leaders, including Biman Banerjee, Dola Sen and Pratima Mondal, had also visited the family.
Case background
The incident occurred when Ghosh, the Jadavpur MP, visited the victim’s family along with TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who had recently joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).The body of the 12-year-old girl, who had gone missing on July 4, was found stuffed inside a sack in the Surjyapur Haat area on Sunday. CCTV footage later surfaced showing the child walking with the accused shortly before her disappearance.Hours after the body was recovered, a man suspected of involvement in the crime was beaten to death by angry locals. Police have so far arrested three people in connection with the rape and murder case.(With agency inputs)
