The words woven into the border of Ratna Debnath’s saree read, “Our spine is not for sale.” 

As the mother of the victim in the horrific R.G. Kar rape and murder case, Debnath has transitioned from a grieving parent to a BJP candidate in the Panihati constituency, which goes to vote in the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections. 

A singular quest for justice fuels her entry into the electoral fray, driven by a fear that true accountability might not come in her lifetime.

“As days go by, I keep wondering if I will get justice while I am alive. For this, I have joined politics," she told Newslaundry while conducting her door-to-door campaign. Even though a conviction was secured, the perception remains that justice is incomplete.

On the ground, Newslaundry found an undeniable wave of sympathy for a woman who has endured the unimaginable. One resident told us, “We want her to win because of what happened to her daughter.” Another resident echoed this sentiment, stating that she believes only another mother can truly fathom the depth of such pain. 

However, the complexities of governance and unfamiliarity with what one voter called a “new party” (BJP) have coloured the waters. Udit Sarkar, a labourer, acknowledged the tragedy with genuine sincerity but argued that the ruling TMC has maintained the constituency, citing stable employment and welfare schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar. 

“It is true; what happened to her should never have occurred,” he admitted, “but the TMC has actually done good work here; things aren't bad under their administration.” 

Ultimately, voters remain caught between a demand for justice and the tangible benefits of the status quo.

Watch our ground report.

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