Trinamool MP apologises for rape remark

Despite an unconditional apology by well-known Bengali film actor and Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal on Tuesday for his reported remarks, the demand for his arrest has become louder.

Pal had remarked on Monday that he will send his “boys” to rape CPI(M) women activists.

In a written apology to the Trinamool Congress and the media, he said: “Some remarks made by me in the heat and dust of the election campaign have caused dismay and consternation. I apologise unreservedly for them. Whatever the provocation — and there was an attempt at provocation — those comments should never have been made.”

Apart from the CPI(M), the Congress and the BJP also demanded that Parliament should take cognisance of Pal’s remarks and he should be punished for what he had said.

Meanwhile, there are reports that the Home Ministry has sought a report from the West Bengal Government on the matter. Non-Trinamool parties are exploring ways to raise the matter with the Speaker and in the ethics committee of the Lok Sabha. They said Pal has no right to continue as a member of the Lower House.

The apology from Pal came after his party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked him to do so. She had directed party general secretary Mukul Roy to deal with the issue. Roy said in a statement the Trinamool Congress will caution the Krishnanagar MP.

The BJP said it will send a copy of his remarks to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Senior BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Mamata needs to explain if she endorses Pal's bizarre remark and, if not, what actions would be taken against him. “This is bizarre and unacceptable. Provision of law should be used to charge such Members of Parliament,” Rudy added.

The Congress said such statements should be rebuked. “There is no place for enmity in politics. He should justify his statement, so should the party,” said Congress leader Manish Tewari.

The CPI(M) held protests against Pal’s statement. The party’s Polit Bureau said Pal’s speech, as shown on television, was shocking and obnoxious. “This atrocious speech gives an indication of the actual situation in West Bengal where the Trinamool Congress is subjecting the CPI(M) and the Opposition to systematic violence, intimidation and threats to their livelihood, with the State administration conniving in such anti-democratic activities,” a CPI(M) statement said.

Call to ‘sacrifice’ Meanwhile, another Trinamool leader on Tuesday was caught on tape asking partymen to “sacrifice” intruders.

Telecast by a Bengali news channel, Trinamool’s Bankura district head Arup Chakraborty is seen in a video clip asking his partymen to “sacrifice whoever intrudes your homes”.

“If any outsider enters your house, cut him down, sacrifice him, I will take care of that, you don’t have to worry,” he said.

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