'Mamata must resign': Suvendu Adhikari leads protests over minor's alleged rape-murder

Tensions flared in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district following the tragic discovery of a 10-year-old girl's body, who was allegedly raped and murdered. The girl's disappearance on Friday sparked outrage, and locals mobilized for protests after her body was found in Jaynagar. Led by BJP President Sukanta Majumdar, party leaders criticized the state government and police for their alleged inaction, claiming that delayed responses contributed to the girl's death. Protesters took to the streets, vandalizing a police outpost and demanding accountability from authorities.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari spearheaded the protests, utilizing the hashtag “MamataMustResign” on social media to call for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation. He emphasized that if police had acted promptly when the girl was reported missing, her life could have been saved. Local residents echoed these sentiments, accusing law enforcement of negligence, which forced them to initiate their own search efforts, ultimately leading to the grim discovery of the girl's body in a pond.

The outcry prompted criticism from West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, who linked the rise in rape cases to the government's slow response to such incidents. He asserted that timely action is crucial to preventing similar tragedies, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms within law enforcement. The governor's remarks reflect growing concerns about public safety in the state, especially in light of the recent rise in violent crimes against women and children.

Opposition parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress, joined the protests, condemning the government for its handling of the incident. They highlighted the alarming frequency of violence against minors and called for immediate action to restore public trust in law enforcement. As frustrations mounted, villagers reportedly confronted local Trinamool Congress officials, expressing their anger over the perceived inaction of authorities. The protests are likely to continue, with BJP leaders planning further demonstrations and “thana gherao” programs to increase pressure on the state government.