Mamata Banerjee (ANI)
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a speech on Tuesday, demanding the immediate resignation of top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Banerjee's demand extends to the chief ministers of states where recent incidents of rape and sexual abuse have occurred, accusing them of failing to enforce effective legislation to protect women.
Banerjee made these remarks during a session in the West Bengal Assembly where she introduced the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024. This legislation is designed to enhance protections for women and children by revising existing laws and introducing new measures related to rape and sexual offences. The bill focuses on accelerating investigations, ensuring faster justice delivery, and imposing stricter punishments for offenders.
The introduction of this bill comes in the wake of ongoing protests by junior doctors at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. These protests were triggered by the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor on August 9. The doctors have been demanding exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Mamata Banerjee characterized rape as a grave societal issue that requires urgent reform. She criticized the central government's legislation and urged the Opposition to press Governor CV Ananda Bose to sign the Aparajita Bill into law. Banerjee emphasized the need for this bill, stating, "Through this bill, we have tried to plug the loopholes that exist in the central legislation."
In response to BJP legislators who chanted slogans demanding her resignation, Banerjee countered by suggesting that she could equally raise slogans against the Prime Minister and Home Minister for their perceived failures. She highlighted the discrepancy in crime rates against women between states, noting that while Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have high rates of such crimes, West Bengal has been actively pursuing justice for victims.
Banerjee also claimed that West Bengal was not consulted before the passage of the National Bills Scheme (BNS), expressing frustration that discussions were not held after the new central government was formed.
The Aparajita Woman and Child Bill was eventually passed unanimously by the West Bengal Assembly, with the Opposition providing full support despite some chaotic scenes during the proceedings. However, proposed amendments to the bill by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari were not accepted by the House. The final draft of the bill includes provisions for capital punishment for individuals convicted of rape, especially if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated her call for justice, demanding a thorough investigation by the CBI and the death penalty for those found guilty of the RG Kar Medical College trainee’s murder. Her statements reflect the intense political and social reactions to the recent surge in violence against women and the legislative efforts being made to address these issues.
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