Ratna Debnath says her electoral victory is a mandate for justice, crediting women voters for their support
In a deeply emotional political turn, Ratna Debnath—mother of the victim in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case—has won the Panihati Assembly seat in the 2026 West Bengal elections, marking her entry into public life after a personal tragedy that shook the state.
Debnath, who contested on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket, defeated Tirthankar Ghosh of the All India Trinamool Congress by a margin of over 28,000 votes in a constituency long considered a stronghold of the ruling party.
“The women of Bengal have given their answer,” she said, crediting female voters for her victory.
Tragedy that reshaped her life
Debnath’s daughter, a 31-year-old junior doctor referred to as ‘Abhaya’, was raped and murdered at the hospital in 2024—an incident that sparked outrage and widespread protests.
Recalling the day, Debnath said her daughter had left home “smiling with her tiffin,” unaware it would be their final conversation.
“Neither I nor she knew that this was the last time we would talk,” she said.
She described her daughter as someone who stood up against corruption in the system, calling her struggle “tougher” than her own.
From protest to politics
Debnath has consistently accused the state administration, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, of failing to protect her daughter and ensure accountability.
“I’ve chosen the path of politics to fight for justice for my daughter and for all daughters,” she said, in an interview to NDTV, adding that the incident transformed her life completely.
Her campaign centred on justice, accountability, and safety for women—issues that resonated strongly with voters in Panihati.
Sharp criticism and call for change
While acknowledging support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Debnath remained sharply critical of the state leadership.
She also questioned welfare-driven politics, referring to schemes like Lakshmi Bhandar.
“The women of Bengal cannot be tied just to ₹1,500,” she said, signalling a shift in political messaging toward dignity and justice rather than financial aid alone.
A mandate shaped by emotion
Debnath described her victory not as a personal achievement but as a reflection of public sentiment.
“It’s not my loss; it’s society’s loss. The society has lost a good doctor,” she said, remembering her daughter as a “God-given diamond.”
Her election marks a rare instance of a grieving parent transforming personal loss into a political movement, with voters rallying behind a call for justice and systemic change.
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