Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Jawhar Sircar has threatened to resign from Parliament in protest against the Mamata Banerjee government’s handling of widespread protests following the shocking rape and murder case at a Kolkata hospital. In an open letter to the Chief Minister, Sircar also condemned rising corruption within the ruling party, accusing certain leaders of gaining power through unethical means.
Sircar’s letter was published on the same day as a massive statewide protest, which is part of a larger global movement initiated by the expat Bengali community. Addressing the ongoing unrest, Sircar expressed disappointment over the government’s response, stating that it was doing “too little, too late” in the face of widespread public outrage. He criticized what he described as the “unchecked overbearing attitude of the favoured few and the corrupt.”
The Trinamool MP further revealed that he had raised concerns about corruption within the party, particularly pointing to allegations against the former education minister in 2022. “When I pointed to the evidence of corruption… I was heckled by senior leaders,” Sircar wrote, adding that he refrained from resigning at that time, hoping the Chief Minister would take action against the corrupt practices.
Sircar emphasized that the current movement is not only about seeking justice for the victim, Abhaya, but also a reflection of growing discontent with the state government. “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 stated.
He also urged Mamata Banerjee to personally intervene with the agitating junior doctors, as she had done in previous crises. “Whatever punitive steps the government is taking now are too little and quite late,” the letter read, indicating the need for more decisive action.
Sircar warned that if corrective measures are not taken immediately, “communal forces will capture this state,” referencing the risk of political unrest in West Bengal. He praised the doctors and protesters for avoiding political influence but stressed that the state government must act swiftly.
Coinciding with Sircar’s letter, the West Bengal government published a full-page advertisement in leading newspapers announcing a ₹100-crore plan aimed at improving women’s safety. The initiative includes fast-track and POCSO courts, the establishment of 49 women police stations, increased CCTV coverage, and better street lighting at designated points, along with the deployment of female volunteers at night. However, critics argue these measures come too late in addressing the underlying issues.
