Senior BJP leader and West Bengal Minister of Panchayat Affairs, Dilip Ghosh, criticized the “intellectuals” who protested against the encounter-killing of a rape and murder accused in South 24 Parganas district. Ghosh accused them of hypocrisy, stating they only care about their self-image and protest both the crimes and the punishments. He emphasized that those committing crimes and supporting criminals are equally culpable.
The encounter of the first arrested accused, Pravas Mondal, in the minor girl’s case has sparked mixed reactions in West Bengal’s political circles. While the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) leaders have condemned the encounter, the BJP and some Trinamool Congress members have welcomed it. The Congress has called for a high-level inquiry into the incident to maintain a neutral stance.
The encounter has divided Bengali society, with social media buzzing with opinions since the incident. While many, especially women, view it as “on-the-spot justice,” others fear it may lead to trigger-happy policing. Observers believe Ghosh’s remarks will further fuel the social and political discourse surrounding the incident.
