Abhaya’s Mother: BJP's New Face Hits CPM

Mar 22, 2026 - By Ashutosh Roy Current AffairsElection AnalysisGovernance & AdminPoliticsRegional UpdatesSocial IssuesWest Bengal Politics

An Open Letter to Abhaya’s Mother

First of all, we express our deep sympathy to Abhaya’s Mother. The tragic loss of your daughter at R.G. Kar Medical College didn’t just break a family; it shook the conscience of millions across West Bengal and the world. We stand in deep sympathy with you, sharing the collective pain of a movement that demanded accountability. However, your recent decision to contest the 2026 Bengal elections on a BJP ticket has sparked a wave of difficult questions.

How did a mother who vowed to keep her daughter’s memory away from the political fray find herself on a campaign trail? The ‘bypassed’ selection process in Delhi is transforming the public narrative. Your sudden allegations against the very people who faced jail for your cause are further fueling this shift.

Is this a pursuit of justice, or an orchestrated script? This exploration uncovers the harsh reality of state retaliation, the ‘politicization’ of grief, and the abandonment of the very people who stood by you.

Do You Have the Right to Contest Elections from Any Party?

Yes, absolutely. As a free citizen of India, Abhaya’s Mother has every right to contest elections from any party, from any place, while holding any party flag. This is a constitutional right that you have earned.

Therefore, if you choose to contest elections with a BJP ticket, no one should object. We also hope that no one will oppose your democratic right.

Then Why Are We Asking These Questions?

However, we sincerely apologize for raising a few questions. Still, we believe these questions are important and need to be asked respectfully.

The Orchestrated Script to Contest the Election

You said that you decided to contest because you heard that Narayan Bandyopadhyay is going to contest from that seat.

So, who informed you about this development?

More importantly, you and your family have repeatedly said that you do not want politics around your deceased daughter.

Therefore, why does it matter to you which party is fielding whom?

How Did Your Ticket Get Confirmed So Quickly?

You also mentioned that you personally called Kaustav Bagchi. After that, he contacted leaders in Delhi and asked you to send your biodata.

You sent it, and BJP election committee confirmed your ticket immediately.

To our knowledge, the Bharatiya Janata Party finalizes its candidate lists in Delhi. Both central and state leaders typically control this entire process.

So, Why did your candidacy follow a different set of rules? Why did this shortcut bypass the standard operating procedure?

What Are Your Allegations Against CPI(M)?

You told Kalatan Dasgupta that you never asked him to join the movement.

However, political workers often act as social workers first. This is something people have seen for years.

On 9 August 2024, we are not sure whether Communist Party of India (Marxist) officially sent Kalatan or Meenakshi Mukherjee.

But they jumped in front of the vehicle at that moment. Clearly, they acted in your interest.

So, is it fair to downplay that contribution today?

Are We Ignoring Their Sacrifice?

You surely know that Kalatan had to spend a very important and emotional moment of his life in jail. He sat in a prison cell while his wife gave birth to their child

As parents, you understand the mix of tension, excitement, and joy during such moments.

Yet, at that same time, he was in prison.

How Far Can State Retaliation Go?

To be honest, no one expects a warm welcome when protesting against the state.

However, this raises a serious question.

How far can state retaliation go?

People like Kalatan and many junior doctors have witnessed this reality firsthand.

Why Did Kalatan Dasgupta Use Your Daughter’s Name on a Political Stage?

Now let’s address an important question.

Why did Kalatan Dasgupta mention your daughter’s name on a political platform?

These people lived and breathed your movement. If their actions were real, how does speaking about them suddenly become a crime?

Moreover, can anything happen in today’s West Bengal without political polarization or social fabrication?

Is It Fair to Question Only One Side?

You appear to be a simple homemaker. So, it is understandable if political complexities are not fully clear.

However, if we look at history, Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly raised social issues in political spaces. For example, she brought the cases like Bhikari Paswan, Champla Sardar, and Rizwanur Rahman into the limelight. Politicians and even common citizens of West Bengal debated these cases for years.

The politicians turn social issues into political battlegrounds.

Similarly, the 21 July Martyrs’ Day stage has now become a major platform for All India Trinamool Congress.

Therefore, social issues have always entered political platforms and they will continue to do so.

Then Why Enter Politics Yourself?

Now comes a difficult but necessary question.

If you truly wanted to keep Abhaya away from politics, then why did you enter politics yourself?

Will you speak about issues beyond Abhaya? Will you raise issues about the growing violence on Women?

Nevertheless, this is just to remind you that even in the month of January, 2026, you said that you would never join any political party or contest any poll.

And finally, one more question:

The public accepts your words about Abhaya when you speak from a BJP platform. However, the same people label it ‘politicization’ the moment Kalatan or the CPI(M) raises the issue.

Were All Protesters Politically Motivated?

You said that everyone involved in the movement had political intentions.

But is that really true?

The massive public outpouring we saw, were all those people political supporters or party workers?

What about those who showed solidarity from outside the state, or even from outside the country? Did they all have political motives?

Did Prominent Voices Also Have Political Agendas?

Let’s consider some well-known individuals like Subarna Goswami, Kunal Sarkar, and Jawhar Sircar.

Did all of them act with political intentions?

What Price Did Some Pay for Leading the Movement?

You may not be aware, but many people who became faces of the RG Kar Movement reportedly faced state retaliation.

Here are a few examples:

• Subarna Goswami was transferred to a hospital in Darjeeling that reportedly remains mostly non-functional.
• Debashis Haldar had to leave his home city and moved to Gazole.
• Aniket Mahato was transferred to Raiganj.
• Asfakulla Naiya had to move to North Dinajpur.
• As per reports, the State transferred at least 42 doctors in a single order.

Should Their Efforts Be Dismissed?

People who stood against the state knew the risks. They understood that such consequences could follow.

Yet, they chose to step forward.

Yes, the R. G. Kar movement may have had its flaws. However, does that justify dismissing their efforts entirely?

This is a serious question that deserves thoughtful consideration.

Will Contesting Elections Ensure Justice for Abhaya?

Now let’s come to your stated goal: seeking justice for Abhaya.

You have raised concerns about lapses in the investigation. The probe is being handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

So, who leads this agency? And which political system does that leadership come under?

These are important questions to reflect on.

Can Political Power Really Influence the Investigation?

It is natural for a drowning person to hold onto even a straw. There is nothing wrong with that.

Especially when you have seen how, day after day, the process of investigation and justice has been delayed—with no meaningful outcome.

Therefore, if you believe that winning on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket will give you the power to push the investigation forward, it may seem unlikely, but it is still understandable.

Is It Fair to Blame Others or Dismiss Their Efforts?

However, this raises a critical concern.

• Is it right to blame others?
• Is it fair to dismiss the sincere and active efforts of those who stood beside you?

Even if you disagree with them, undermining their contribution may be seen as unethical and unjust.

A Sincere Request to Abhaya’s Mother: Will You Please Reconsider?

Therefore, we make a humble and sincere request.

Please take a moment to reflect on these questions and reconsider your stance.

Past West Bengal Assembly Election Results of Panihati Constitution

Key Notes:

1. Sanmoy Bandyopadhyay contested as a joint candidate of left front and congress in 2016
2. Panihati constituency used to be treated as Left dominated constituency in the past

Key Takeaways

1. We express deep sympathy for Abhaya and strongly condemned the horrific incident.
2. We acknowledge your democratic right to contest elections from any party, including the Bharatiya Janata Party.
3. However, we raise questions about why you chose to enter politics despite earlier stating that you did not want your daughter’s case politicized.
4. We question how your election ticket was approved so quickly and whether standard party procedures were followed.
5. Let us highlight concerns about your remarks against Communist Party of India (Marxist) and individuals like Kalatan Dasgupta.
6. We point out that some activists acted in your interest and made personal sacrifices during the movement.
7. Let us emphasize that social issues have historically been raised on political platforms by leaders like Mamata Banerjee.
8. Therefore, questioning only certain groups for “politicization” may not be consistent.
9. We challenge the remark that all protesters had political motives, noting that many people across regions showed genuine solidarity.
10. We highlight alleged retaliatory actions against doctors and activists involved in the RG Kar Movement.
11. Despite risks, many individuals continued to stand up, which should not be dismissed.
12. We rais concerns about the role of the Central Bureau of Investigation and delays in the justice process.
13. We acknowledge that your decision may come from frustration and hope for justice.
14. However, we stress that blaming others or undermining sincere efforts may be unfair and unethical.
15. Finally, we make a respectful appeal to reconsider your stance and reflect on these questions.

People Also Ask (PAA)

Why Did Abhaya’s Mother Decide to Enter Politics?

Abhaya’s mother stated that she chose to contest elections after hearing that Narayan Bandyopadhyay might stand from that seat. However, this raises questions because her family had earlier said they did not want their daughter’s case to be politicized.

Is It Wrong to Use Social Issues on Political Platforms?

Not necessarily. In India, social issues have often been raised in politics. Leaders like Mamata Banerjee have historically highlighted real-life cases on political stages. Therefore, discussing such issues publicly is not new.

Were All Protesters Politically Motivated?

No, that is unlikely. Many people who joined protests or showed solidarity were ordinary citizens, not political workers. The scale of public support suggests a broader emotional and social response, not just political involvement.

Why Are CPM and Other Activists Being Questioned?

Concerns were raised about criticism of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and activists like Kalatan Dasgupta. Some believe these individuals acted in support of the family and even faced personal risks.

Did Doctors and Activists Face Consequences During the Movement?

Yes, several individuals linked to the RG Kar Movement reportedly faced transfers and other actions. This suggests that participating in such movements may have come with serious consequences.

Can Winning an Election Help Speed Up Justice?

It is uncertain. While contesting on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket might seem like a way to gain influence, investigations are handled by agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation, which follow their own processes.

Is It Fair to Call Everything “Politicization”?

This remains debatable. If one group raising the issue is acceptable, then labeling others as “politicizing” the same issue may appear inconsistent.