CPM MLA asks how much Mamata will ‘charge’ to get raped, then says sorry

A senior CPM MLA and former West Bengal minister has triggered widespread outrage through his comments at a public rally where he asked how much Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would charge to get raped.

Anisur Rahman, the Left Front's legislature party deputy leader, made the comments while speaking in Itahar in North Dinajpur district on Tuesday.

Referring to the chief minister's announcement a month ago to give Rs 20,000 to a rape victim, Rahman, chairman of the public accounts committee, said: "This government will do good to all, farmers, workers, rape victims. This is the same Mamata Banerjee who went to South 24 Parganas and brought Champala Sardar to Writers' Building claiming she was raped. She takes up those hala fala girls (girls discarded by society). I told her if you want to bring some girls, bring some good girls. There is no better girl than you. We will give her some medal, or we can give her Rs 20,000. We ask, Didimoni, what is your fee? How much will you take for getting raped?''

Rattled by the remark, the CPM called Rahman to the party headquarters and censured him. "The statement made by Anisur Rahman is against the culture and tradition of the party and we do not approve of such remarks. We warn him to refrain from making such remarks in future," said a statement from state secretary Biman Bose.

Rahman also apologised at a press conference. "On December 25...we were discussing the issue of announcing compensation for rape victims. My intention was to discuss the daily incidents of rape in the state. While discussing this, I uttered certain words which were not courteous. I unconditionally apologise to the chief minister and the people of the state," he read out from a statement.

But the Trinamool Congress has said it will file a defamation case and a privilege motion in the state assembly against Rahman.

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