Hanskhali rape and murder case: West Bengal BJP calls for 12-hour bandh today

Amid a row over the alleged gang-rape and death of a minor, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday questioned whether the girl was actually raped or had been having a love affair. The remarks have prompted outrage in the Opposition camp, with the BJP accusing the CM of “character assassination of the deceased” and highlighting the fact that the accused is a local TMC leader’s son.

Amid furore over the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in West Bengal’s Nadia, the state unit of the BJP has called for a 12 hour bandh today. The strike will be in place from 6 am to 6 pm in protest over the incident. The situation was exacerbated on Monday after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned whether the girl was actually raped or had a love affair that got her pregnant.

“How do you know if she was raped? The police are yet to ascertain the cause of the death. I had asked them. Was she pregnant or had a love affair or was sick? Even family knew it was a love affair. If a couple is in a relationship, how can I stop them?,” the chief minister said during an address at the inauguration of the ‘Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan’. The CM also said that the state child commission would investigate the matter.

The remarks have prompted fury in the Opposition camp, with BJP leaders highlighting the accused individual’s link to the ruling party. “TMC Block President’s son raped a minor girl and burned her body to eradicate the evidence. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister asks, ‘whether it is a rape, pregnancy, or a love affair?’ Bengal’s shame: Mamata Banerjee!” the West Bengal BJP tweeted.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/hanskhali-rape-and-murder-case-west-bengal-bjp-calls-for-12-hour-bandh-today-article-90786151