Victory of Panihati People: Ratna Debnath, Mother of RG Kar Rape Victim, After Getting BJP Ticket

Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, will contest from Panihati constituency as a BJP candidate in the upcoming West Bengal elections.

Speaking to ANI, Debnath said it it is victory for the people of Panihati while targeting the TMC government over education, health and women safety.

"This is also a victory. This victory is for the people of Panihati. I will not win the poll battle, the people of Panihati will win. People of Panihati have forgotten to protest. Government has snatched away the right to education, health, and the basic rights of the people. I want to ensure the safety of women. I want to say that everybody should be given equal rights. You know that my daughter was killed on duty in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital."

She then appealed the people to give an opportunity to serve them for the next five years.

Ratna Debnath added, "Since then, many incidents have taken place here. I want to begin my campaign from tomorrow. I want to tell the people that I am zero now, I don't have anything. So I don't want to get anything. I will request them to stand by me. Poll fight will not be tough. We have already crossed or what battle. We will say to the people of the state, you have seen a government for the last 15 years. So, give me an opportunity to BJP for the next 5 years. I will get justice for my daughter's death; nobody can stop this. All the evidence has been removed at the behest of the Chief Minister."

Sekharranjan Debnath, father of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, welcomed the saffron party's decision to give ticket to his wife and said, "BJP has made her (Ratna Debnath - mother of the deceased victim) a candidate. She is the candidate of the people of Panihati. People of Panihati will vote for her and make her win. She will raise the issues of the people of Panihati in the Vidhan Sabha. Our doors will always be open for the people of Panihati..."

A 31-year-old female postgraduate resident physician at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was raped and murdered in a college building. Her body was found in a seminar room on campus on 9 August 2024. The incident hogged national limelight as the junior doctors undertook a strike action for 42 days, demanding a thorough probe of the incident and adequate security at hospitals.

West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting will take place on May 4.