BJP Criticizes Mamata Banerjee Over Women's Safety Comments

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi voiced strong criticism against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, following her advice for women to avoid nighttime outings. Trivedi asserts that such guidance reflects a failure in the state's duty to ensure safety and punish offenders.

Speaking at a press meet, Trivedi highlighted the contrast between the central government's efforts to enhance women's safety and West Bengal's reportedly low conviction rate for crimes against women, which he claims stands at 3.5% compared to the national average of 22.5%.

Trivedi also pointed to the electoral contest in Panihati, featuring Ratna Debnath - the mother of a local crime victim - against TMC's Tirthankar Ghosh, questioning the choice of language in TMC's named manifesto "Ishtahar." The critique comes amid high voter turnout in the state's first election phase.

(With inputs from agencies.)