RG Kar rape-murder: Mamata cracks the whip on TMC cadres after flak over sexist remarks by party leaders

Facing backlash for controversial statements made by her party members on the RG Kar rape and murder case, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has jumped in to save the already tarnished image of Trinamool Congress.

Banerjee, who has been crticised for comments made by her party members Udayan Guha and Lovely Maitra, has strictly instructed her ministers and MLAs to remain shut and avoid making any comments in the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal’s Kolkata.

Damage control

Slammed, criticised and lambasted for over a month now, Trinamool Congress got into murky waters after West Bengal minister and Dinhata MLA Udayan Guha, and MLA Lovely Maitra made remarks that irked the protesters and people at large.

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Banerjee’s latest diktat came as a damage control as her party struggles to keep its reputation that has been tarnished since August 9 following the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at state-run RG Kar Hospital.

TMC MLAs controversial remarks

Guha recently made a sexist remark saying that those participating in the ‘Night Freedom Rally’ to demand justice for the trainee doctor should not call him “if your husband beats you up."

Another local leader of Bengal’s Ashokenagar, Atish Sarkar, in a viral video was seen threatening protesters demanding justice for junior doctor who’s body, raped and murdered, was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar hospital on August 9.

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In the viral clip, Sarkar was heard saying a gathering: “Didi has instructed us to hiss… Those of you who are abusing Didi, engaging in her character assassination, if we make obscene posters of your mothers and sisters and put them on your walls, you won’t be able to remove them. That day is going to come soon.”

MLA Lovely Maitra also sparked controversy after labelling the protesting doctors “butchers”.

“Doctors are turning into butchers in the name of protests. The poor and underprivileged people who come from interior parts, rural areas of Bengal seeking medical treatment at government hospitals, those who cannot afford treatment at private hospitals, they are suffering. They are not being treated. Are they (doctors) human? Is this humane?” she said.

Sources in TMC told CNN-News18 that the top leaders of the party are upset with the stray comments being made by MLAs and councillors despite the CM and the seniors choosing to remain quiet on the allegations.

“It is hurting the damage-control system of the party,” they further said.