Ranaghat: In a viral clip recorded during a meeting with festival organisers in Ranaghat, Nadia district, Additional Superintendent of Police Laltu Haldar accused young women of “drinking alcohol and going on rampages” during festival processions. He said he was “ashamed” of what he witnessed during last year’s Kali Puja night, adding, “If the women of the house become like this, the society will go crazy.” Many observers condemned the remarks as victim‑blaming rather than addressing root causes of public disorder and safety failures.
Repeated Assault Cases in West Bengal
The controversy comes amid a string of disturbing incidents. In one case at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, a 31‑year‑old woman doctor was found dead on 9 August 2024 in the hospital building, which triggered protests and demands for urgent reform.
Earlier this month, at Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Government Medical College & Hospital, Uluberia in Howrah district, a junior female doctor on duty was assaulted and threatened with sexual violence after an altercation with a patient’s relatives. Two men including a home guard, were arrested.
These cases underscore deep‑seated issues of workplace safety and institutional protections, not isolated aberrations.
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Why Women Should Not Be Blamed?
Commentators say linking women’s conduct, such as drinking alcohol or being outdoors, to increased social trouble misdirects responsibility. Alarming incidents of assault show that violence is not triggered by women behaving “improperly” but by the failure of systems to prevent aggression, regulate public conduct, protect individuals and hold perpetrators accountable. The mistake lies in shifting the burden to women instead of enforcing protective frameworks.
Impact on Festival Culture and Policing
Haldar’s remarks were made in the context of festival‑time crowd management, where alcohol, large gatherings and processions pose policing challenges. While concerns about order during festivals are valid, many viewed his comments as moralising rather than identifying operational failures- inadequate security, lack of monitoring, insufficient female policing staff and poor alcohol regulation. Rights groups say attention should focus on these systemic gaps.
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What Needs to Happen Next?
How Bengal addresses these issues will matter. The state government must strengthen protection for women, especially in public and workplace settings, through rapid incident response, gender‑sensitive training for police, better lighting and crowd control at festivals and institutions and eliminating victim‑blaming rhetoric. Senior police and administration must clarify policy, ensure accountability and rebuild trust.