Veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray has made waves with a recent post on social media, signaling his challenge to his own party and its handling of a highly sensitive case. The post comes in the wake of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a crime that has shocked the city and sparked widespread outrage.
Ray's post on X (formerly Twitter) urged football fans and sports lovers to unite in peaceful protest against what he termed the "arbitrary arrests" of supporters of rival football clubs Mohun Bagan Super Giants and East Bengal. The fans had gathered outside Salt Lake Stadium to demand justice for the victim, setting aside their intense rivalry to come together for a common cause. Ray's appeal highlighted the rare and powerful sight of these rival factions joining forces, urging the public to protest in a "peaceful and democratic manner." His message, ending with "Jai Mohunbagan! Jai East Bengal!," not only acknowledged the unusual alliance between the two groups but also subtly criticized the actions of the Kolkata Police.
The protest saw Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fans, usually at odds with each other, uniting to voice their anger and frustration over the handling of the case. The police responded by detaining several protesters who defied orders, a move that Ray openly criticized. His post made it clear that he was taking a stand against his own government, questioning the police's investigation into the trainee doctor’s rape and murder. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing discourse, as Ray’s critique came from within the ruling party, signaling internal dissent.
Ray's dissatisfaction with the investigation has been evident in his previous statements. He has publicly called for the custodial interrogation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, Dr. Sandip Roy, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which recently took over the case. Ray’s demand for a CBI probe reflects his lack of confidence in the local authorities and his belief that the case needs a more thorough investigation.
However, Ray's outspoken stance has not been without consequences. His party colleague, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, criticized Ray’s comments as "unfortunate," defending the police commissioner by stating that he had done his best to solve the case. Ghosh's remarks suggest a divide within the TMC, as Ray’s public critique of the police and the party’s handling of the situation has created tensions within the ranks.
Adding to the controversy, Ray was recently summoned by the Kolkata Police for allegedly tweeting "wrong information" about the investigation. The police claimed that Ray had spread fake news regarding the delay in deploying a dog squad to the crime scene, an accusation that Ray has denied. In response to the summons, Ray approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the police’s actions. Citing health reasons, he had earlier avoided appearing before the police, further complicating the situation.
Ray’s actions have brought to light the deepening crisis within the TMC and have drawn attention to the broader issues of governance and justice in West Bengal. His challenge to the party and the police, combined with his call for public protest, suggests that the fallout from this case may continue to resonate in the state’s political landscape.
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