Latest news with #Trinamool
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Filmed private videos, body-shamed girls, faced molestation complaints: How 'Mango's' campus abuse was ignored for years; a toxic mix of clout, impunity
NEW DELHI: Even before the horrific 'gang-rape' allegations against Manojit Mishra stunned Kolkata, many students at the law college knew him not for his legal acumen but for the unchecked power he allegedly wielded on campus — and the fear he instilled among women. A college insider has now revealed that Manojit, also known as 'Mango', had a long history of recording private moments of women, morphing their pictures and sharing them in WhatsApp groups for amusement and ridicule. 'He filmed private moments with women and showed them to his friends. He recorded almost everything. He and his aides used to click photos of women and post them in groups, body shaming and maligning them,' she said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Another source said that multiple complaints of molestation, harassment, assault and even extortion had been filed against him with the college authorities and police. "The party had been alerted too, but no action followed," the source said. Real influence stemmed from politics Manojit's fall from grace was neither sudden nor unpredictable. He first enrolled in 2007 and later rejoined the college in 2017, but reportedly dropped out midway during both stints. Despite being ousted from the college's Trinamool Chhatra Parishad unit in 2021 over rowdyism, he returned the following year — not as a student, but as a contractual staff member, armed with a governing body appointment letter. In 2022, he formally graduated and began practicing at Alipore court. But insiders say his real influence stemmed not from the law, but from politics. "He was the 121st candidate in a class with 120 seats. Everyone knew it. But no one questioned it, thanks to his political backing,' said a batchmate. A toxic mix of clout and impunity Even after the dissolution of the college's official Trinamool unit in 2017 — following an incident where Manojit allegedly led a group to vandalise the principal's office — his grip on campus only grew stronger. Sources say he operated without formal party designation, but acted as the de facto TMCP strongman on campus. Pramit, Manojit, Zaib He ran college WhatsApp groups where he allegedly removed students at will, used access to staff rooms, and organised events with full authority. Students claim that his leadership style was not only intimidating but deeply misogynistic. Estranged at home, feared on campus Back home in Kalighat, Manojit lived alone. His father, Robin Mishra — a local priest — had severed ties with him five years ago. The two live just four houses apart but haven't spoken in years. "Let the law take its course. If he's done it, let him be punished. The survivor is also someone's daughter," Robin said. Neighbours described Manojit as volatile and disruptive. 'There were always fights, drunken brawls, people screaming outside his house,' one said. 'One of the co-accused seen on TV was here recently after another drinking session.' His mother and sister had reportedly moved out years ago. His grandmother, who lived with him, passed away in 2023. (The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Prime accused Monojit's one-liner for every girl: ‘Tui amay biye korbi?'
1 2 3 Kolkata: The key accused in the law college rape, Monojit Mishra, also known as Mango, always had a predilection for sexual depravity and violence with marked psychopathic tendencies, said a cross-section of his college juniors and batchmates. His conversation starter "Tui amay biye korbi (Will you marry me)?" with the 24-year-old collegian he raped on the campus on Wednesday was not the first time he had asked the question. Mishra, ousted from the college's Trinamool unit in 2021, had posed the same question to "many other girls" on the campus. A college insider said Monojit used to morph pictures of girls and circulate them among his friends. "He filmed private moments with women and showed it to his friends. He had a tendency to record videos of almost everything. He and his aides used to click photographs of women and post them in groups, body shaming them and maligning them," she said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata A source said multiple complaints of molestation, harassment, physical assault, and extortion were lodged against him. The party had been alerted about this but no action had followed. A third-year student told TOI: "The college authorities knew everything, and they gave full support to Mango. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo This was not a stray incident; this person and his team members were a terror for the students, especially for girls. A proper sexual harassment complaint was submitted to the teacher-in-charge, but no action was taken. No one at this college is safe." A first-year student whom TOI reached out to sounded very scared and stated that while the college had proper infrastructure for healthy academics, political influence had spoiled the atmosphere. "Those who are attached to the union have a licence to do anything they want. Monojit was the administrator of all the WhatsApp groups where important notices were posted and he could add and remove anyone at his discretion. Posting photographs of our female friends and making filthy jokes were normal practices, and we had to remain silent as they wielded power. He had free access everywhere on the campus, including staff rooms and administrative rooms. Students used to go to him to solve college-related issues." A few current students revealed that they were so traumatised and scared of him that they had stopped going to college. "A few of us took part in the 'Reclaim the Night' movement last year. Monojit called us, threatened us, and beat some of us for taking part in the protest," said a student. "He used to openly say that nothing will happen to him as he has access to political netas. This impunity gave him a free hand to do anything. He behaved like the boss of the college; teachers and guards were scared of him. He was an ad-hoc staff member but stayed at the college till late at night," said an insider. An alumnus added: "When I entered the college in 2016, we were particularly told to avoid a few people, and one of them was Manojit Mishra." A daughter of a judge spent just six months at the college, and those few months were enough to rattle her. "He studied with us but surprisingly, he was in the same class for 10 years, just to stay in the college. Complaints were filed against him several times at the Gariahat police station for harassment but nothing happened," she said.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
With Digha as Rathyatra focal point, Bengal showcases its brand of peaceful religiosity
1 2 Kolkata: Rathyatras held across Bengal on Friday with the one at Digha Jagannath temple at its epicentre showcased the non-aggressive tradition of the Hindu religion — distinct from the Ram Navami processions in Howrah and elsewhere in the state marked with the brandishing of swords and lathis. Across Bengal, the number of chariots swelled this time — from one or two to six and seven at each place — and all the rallies recorded huge footfall. This was seen not only at Digha, but at all traditional spots — Cooch Behar's Madan Mohan temple, Malda, East Midnapore's Mahishadal, Sutahata, Tamluk and Mecheda, Mahesh and Chandernagore in Hooghly, Barasat in North 24 Parganas, Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas, and of course Kolkata. The festive spirit united all, across gender and social strata, as chariots rolled down the streets. While Dona Ganguly is set to perform Odishi with her troupe in the 'Ulto Rath' mela on July 3, women in Cooch Behar danced to tunes of DJ as they scrambled to touch the ropes of the rath. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata In Mahishadal, royal family member Haraprasad Garg said the organisers were overwhelmed with the participation of women and youngsters at the event this year. "The crowd this year has broken all records. The participation of women was significant. I have come to know that some were injured in a stampede during the rathyatra," Garg said. Mahesh Jagannath Temple chief priest Piyal Adhikari endorsed the view. "The GT Road stretch close to our temple was choked as people who could not make it to Digha came to us," he said. In Bengal, where people breathe politics into every incident, men in para addas are now busy calculating which party — Trinamool or BJP — would gain out of religious processions in the state. As of now, no Chinese wall separates those participating in the Ram Navami processions and Friday's Rathyatras. In fact, there is an overlap of participants — the bottom line being they are all Hindus. It is believed that Lord Jagannath comes down from the temple during this time of the year and goes for an annual visit to his birthplace along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. The servitors to this occasion are dalapatis, non-Brahmins who break the rigorous caste hierarchy. During his journey, Lord Jagannath halts at his maternal aunt's place and has sweet pancakes. The sweet story mingles beautifully with Bengal's culture, showcasing how Lord Jagannath was Bengal's own. Just like Lord Rama ruling the hearts of those from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, through culture and legends. The Bengal CM walked the extra mile by taking Lord Jagannath to remote villages from where people couldn't reach the yatras. Mamata Banerjee has sent a photograph of Lord Jagannath and the Lord's prasad to every household in Bengal. BJP and RSS could manage to take a few thousands from Bengal to the Ayodhya's Ram Mandir. Bengal BJP netas, who claim themselves to be the sole representatives of Hindus, have questioned religious credentials of Digha temple. Suvendu Adhikari even announced he would fetch the 'mahaprasadam' from Puri and distribute it among devotees. In other words, BJP netas couldn't ignore Digha's grand rath showcase. Former Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh had even attended the temple's opening. Interestingly, many TMC netas had taken out their own Ram Navami processions. While a section of political observers maintains that since participants are all Hindus, religious processions might consolidate sentiments and they might choose the party that has called itself the protector of Hindus. The majority, however, gives a clear advantage to Banerjee for choosing a religious motif close to hearts and taking everyone along. They believe that Lord Ram may not have much of an impact in the land of Goddess Durga, Maa Kali, and Lord Jagannath.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Psychopath 'Mango' terror in Kolkata college, say juniors
KOLKATA: Monojit Mishra aka Mango, the key accused in the rape of a 24-year-old college student in Kolkata, had long exhibited psychopathic tendencies and a penchant for sexual violence, according to former classmates and juniors. Mishra, expelled from the college's Trinamool unit in 2021, had repeatedly proposed to female students with the same line - "Tui amay biye korbi (Will you marry me)?" - including to the survivor he allegedly raped Wednesday. A college insider alleged Saturday that Mishra often morphed photos of girls and circulated them among friends, filmed intimate moments with women and shared them, and routinely body-shamed female students. Complaints of molestation, assault, extortion, and harassment were filed against him, but no action followed. Mishra retained access to campus buildings, manipulated college WhatsApp groups, and controlled information flow, several students said. "This person and his aides were a terror, especially for girls. Authorities knew everything but protected him. We even filed a formal sexual harassment complaint to the teacher-in-charge, but nothing happened," a third-year college student said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo A first-year student described Mishra as wielding unchecked power: "Those attached to the union had a licence to do anything. Posting obscene jokes and photos in groups was normal. We stayed silent out of fear." Another student recounted how Mishra threatened and assaulted students who participated in last year's 'Reclaim the Night' movement in protest against the RG Kar rape-murder case. Co-accused Promit Mukherjee alias Riju had ironically participated in protests last Aug demanding the death penalty for the accused in the RG Kar rape-murder case. Another co-accused, Junaid, is from Howrah. His home was locked on Saturday. Neighbours expressed shock. "It's distressing to hear Junaid's name in this case," Abbas Sheikh said.
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Protests escalate over Kolkata student rape case, BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar detained
Protests continued and intensified in Kolkata on Saturday over the law student's gang rape inside her college. Bharatiya Janata Party State unit president Sukanta Majumdar was detained in one of the protests in the city. Meanwhile, senior Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee's statement on the rape incident has sparked backlash. The BJP said the comments made by Mr. Banerjee were made 'in favour of the rapists' and 'shameful.' 'If a friend rapes another friend, then how will the government provide protection in such cases? Police cannot be in every corner,' Mr. Banerjee said. He further stated that women's safety is at stake because of the mentality of men. BJP's Amit Malviya called the statement 'a trivialisation of the crime', and accused the ruling Trinamool of shielding its members. Mr. Banerjee has also stated that women should stand up against such crimes and male colleagues should protect them because police cannot be deployed inside a college campus. Protests intensify On Saturday, BJP workers organised multiple protests to condemn the gang rape. They clashed with police in several parts of Kolkata and its outskirts. At Gariahath crossing close to the college where the incident took place, Sukanta Majumdar was seen being escorted into a police van during a scuffle. 'This is the face of democracy in West Bengal. Police have arrested us and are not allowing us to even voice our opinions,' Mr. Majumdar said before being detained. Many other BJP workers were also detained along with Mr. Majumdar. He also said the police were only being used by the Trinamool Congress government to detain them and not to protect its citizens. Protests were also organised by Congress workers outside the college where the sexual assault took place. Left-led protests were also seen across the city. Many Congress protestors called for an end of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool regime in Bengal. BJP protestors on the other hand said that they want to prove that all abusers in the State are from Trinamool Congress. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on Saturday condemned the incident but asked political leaders to not politicise the issue and said that they are not trying to shield the accused while also calling for strict punishment. Mr. Ghosh said the party stands with the survivor and her family member and demands exemplary punishment for the accused. Senior Trinamool leader and Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the BJP fact-finding team should visit BJP-ruled States where allegations of sexual assault have come to the fore. 'We are not saying that it is not fact. We are not shielding the accused in any way. Within 12 hours of the incident, the police have arrested three persons,' Ms. Bhattacharya said. Till now, the police have arrested four people in relation to the rape incident. Meanwhile, the survivor visited a city court to record her statement. Women's safety issue The Trinamool, under growing scrutiny, has distanced itself from the 31-year-old main accused. Trinamool student wing head Trinankur Bhattacharya acknowledged that Monojit Mishra — one of the prime accused — had earlier links with the party but insisted that 'individual misconduct does not define the party'. Trinamool officials said the accused did not hold any official position in the part since 2022. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, meanwhile, denied any official association of the main accused with the Trinamool. 'They might be supporters, but they had no relation to the TMC. Anyone who does [join] TMC based on ideals can never commit such crimes,' Mr. Hakim asserted. However, visuals of Monojit with top Trinamool leaders have continued to circulate on social media, further fuelling the Opposition's narrative that the ruling party has cultivated a culture of impunity. The college where the incident took place has already increased security and installed more CCTV cameras on the premises. This has also brought criticism from political parties as many said that the CCTV installation after the crime transpired is 'fruitless'. Memories of RG Kar resurface This incident has not only triggered a legal and political showdown but has reopened the conversation around women's safety and political patronage in educational institutions in West Bengal and brought back memories of the RG Kar rape and murder that shook the nation in 2024. 'These crimes are being committed purposefully. They are ruining the name of our educational institutions. There was so much protest and outrage when my daughter died, but what purpose did it serve? Such incidents continue to shake the State,' the mother of the R.G. Kar victim said while commenting on the issue.
