Ratna Debnath, the mother of the victim in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, has entered electoral politics as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Panihati Assembly seat, saying she will contest to fight for “people’s rights and women’s safety” and to pursue justice for her daughter. The state is scheduled to vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting set for May 4.
Addressing reporters, Debnath called her candidature “a victory for the people of Panihati” and urged that the election’s outcome reflect public will rather than personal ambition. “I will not win the poll battle; the people of Panihati will win,” she said.
Debnath accused the state government of failing to protect basic rights, alleging that “the right to education, health, and the basic rights of the people” have been eroded. She stressed that women’s safety and equal rights must be ensured for all citizens, and referred repeatedly to her daughter’s death as the catalyst for her decision to enter politics: “You know that my daughter was killed on duty… Since then, many incidents have taken place here.”
Announcing the start of her campaign, Debnath appealed directly to voters, saying she had “nothing” to gain personally and would rely on public support. “I am zero now… I will request them to stand by me,” she told the media.
She also urged voters to give the BJP an opportunity in the state, pointing out that the current government has been in power for 15 years. Debnath said securing justice in her daughter’s case remains central to her campaign: “I will get justice for my daughter’s death; nobody can stop this.” She further alleged that evidence had been removed “at the behest of the Chief Minister”; this claim is made by Debnath.
The RG Kar incident occurred on August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room at the Kolkata hospital. The case sparked nationwide protests and demands for accountability. After the Calcutta High Court raised concerns about the initial investigation, the probe was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, which has since arrested multiple individuals.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/rg-kar-victims-mother-enters-panihati-fray-vows-fight-for-justice-and-womens-safety-1365480-2026-03-26?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-03-26 10:00:00
