Mamata Banerjee 'Deeply Pained' by Rape Remark; Tapas Pal Apologises

Kolkata: Tapas Pal, the Trinamool Congress MP whose shocking comments on rape have caused widespread outrage, has written a letter of what his party calls an "unconditional apology."

"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," the 55-year-old MP has written.

He also writes, "In making them, I have let down my constituents and the people of Bengal, I have let down my party, the Trinamool Congress, and my political colleagues, I have let down my family, including my wife and children and my parents, and my friends. I apologise to all of them, and particularly to all women in our society and to those in the media who highlighted the issue."

Addressed to "All of you" and copied to his party chief Mamata Banerjee, other Trinamool leaders and the media, Mr Pal's letter says, "I have no excuses to offer. It was a gross error of judgement and deeply insensitive. It should not have happened. And I assure you it will not happen again."

On footage aired by local channels, Mr Pal, also a popular Bengali actor, told his supporters in an address in May, "If CPIM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) tries to kill and intimidate our workers... I will not spare them. I will let loose my men to rape their women." (Trinamool Leader's Shocker: 'Will Ask My Boys to Go and Rape CPM Women)

Amid calls for his arrest and resignation, the Trinamool Congress said the comment had caused its chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee deep anguish. Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien said Ms Banerjee "is hopping mad."  

Ordering the MP to apologise "unconditionally" the Trinamool Congress's Mukul Roy also said today that he has been asked to explain his comments and that the party would take a decision on how to deal with him tomorrow. (For Trinamool MP Tapas Pal's Rape Threat, Wife's Apology and Defence)

While the Congress in Bengal called for Mr Pal's arrest, the head of the National Commission for Women Mamata Sharma said he must resign and that "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should take action against him." (Tapas Pal's Rape Remark: Who Said What)

CPM leader Brinda Karat said Mr Pal "must be suspended" from the Lok Sabha.