Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Monday strongly criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent remarks after the alleged gang-rape of a 23-year-old Odia medical student in Durgapur.

ମହିଳାଙ୍କୁ ନିରାଶ କରିଛି ମମତା ବାନାର୍ଜୀ ଙ୍କ ଭଳି ଜଣେ ମହିଳା ନେତୃତ୍ୱ ଓ ଦିଦି ନାମରେ ପରିଚୟ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ଜଣେ ମହିଳା ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଙ୍କ ମୁଁହରୁ -"ରାତିରେ ଝିଅମାନେ ବାହାରକୁ ଆସିବା ଉଚିତ ନୁହେଁ ମନ୍ତବ୍ୟ।କେବଳ ମୋତେ ନୁହେଁ ପଶ୍ଚିମ ବଙ୍ଗଳା ରେ ଥିବା ଚାରିକୋଟି ନବେ ଲକ୍ଷ ମହିଳାମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଓ ଅପମାନିତ କରିଛି। ପୀଡିତା କୁ…
— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) October 13, 2025

Pravati Parida’s Strong Rebuke

Parida, who also oversees the Women and Child Development department of the Odisha government, called Banerjee’s statement “disappointing” and “insulting” to women.

In a post on X, Parida said: “Mamata Banerjee, a woman leader known as 'Didi', has disappointed women with her comment that ‘girls should not be out at night.’ This statement has not only shocked me but also insulted the 4.9 crore women of West Bengal. Instead of delivering justice to the victim, the Chief Minister has introduced gender bias and questioned women's rights. She has no authority to do so.”

“If the West Bengal government lacks empathy because the victim is an Odia girl, then write to the Odisha government. We will ensure our children’s voices are heard even in your state. The absence of remorse is deeply condemnable. If women cannot expect compassion, safety, and rights from a woman Chief Minister, then from whom should they expect it?” she asked in the social media post.

Also Read: Durgapur Gang-Rape Case: Fifth Accused Arrested, All Suspects Held

Mamata Banerjee’s Controversial Statement

CM Banerjee on Sunday said, "Students staying in hostels, especially those who have come to West Bengal to study from outside the state, are expected to follow the rules of the hostels. They should avoid venturing out late at night, although they have the fundamental right to go wherever they want."

Banerjee’s remarks came after a second-year student at a private medical college in Durgapur, hailing from Odisha, was allegedly gang-raped on Friday night when she went out with a friend for dinner.

Political and Public Backlash

The incident has triggered a wave of criticism from political leaders, women’s rights groups, and netizens. Many have called for accountability and better safety measures for women, especially students living away from home.

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