A medical student from Odisha was allegedly raped by unidentified men near a private medical college campus in Durgapur, West Bengal, on Friday night, police said on Saturday. The second-year student had gone out for dinner with a friend when the attack reportedly took place. She is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The incident quickly sparked a fierce political debate between West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his shock and concern over the incident, urging West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take strict action against the accused. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Majhi condemned the “unfortunate” gang rape and assured that the Odisha government would provide full support to the victim’s family.

“I strongly urge the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal to take exemplary action against the accused as per the law,” Majhi wrote, adding that senior officials from Odisha had been directed to coordinate with their counterparts in West Bengal to ensure justice and assistance.

The West Bengal BJP swiftly criticized the state government, accusing Mamata Banerjee’s administration of repeatedly failing on law and order, especially concerning crimes against women. The party’s West Bengal handle described the state as unsafe for women and demanded accountability from the TMC government.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also called for a transparent and impartial investigation, comparing the case to the controversial handling of the RG Kar Medical College case by Kolkata Police. He demanded that the guilty be punished and reiterated calls for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation in 2026.

In response, TMC minister Shashi Panja condemned the BJP for politicizing the sensitive case, urging the party to stop using the incident for political gains. She reminded critics to focus on crimes in other states like Odisha and Manipur and emphasized that the police had already begun investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav commented on the broader issue of rising violence against women. She pointed out that such crimes are increasing nationwide and criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for failing to ensure women’s safety, despite initiatives like the 1090 helpline introduced by her party.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident has once again highlighted concerns about women’s safety and the political blame game surrounding such cases in India.