Mamata Banerjee, Narendra Modi (ANI)
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has penned a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Centre of neglecting her earlier appeals for tougher laws to combat crimes against women. The renewed call for action comes in the aftermath of the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.
Banerjee expressed her frustration over the lack of response to her previous letter, which urged for immediate legislative reforms. Posting the letter on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, Banerjee wrote, "No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue." She emphasized that her concerns, which she believes are of national importance, were being overlooked by the central government.
While acknowledging a response from the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, Banerjee was quick to highlight her dissatisfaction. "The reply barely attends to the gravity of the issue raised in my letter," she noted. Banerjee accused the Centre of failing to fully grasp the seriousness of the problem. "The seriousness of the subject and its relevance to society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply," she added.
In her letter, Annapurna Devi had criticized the West Bengal government, accusing it of failing to implement adequate safety measures for women and children. In rebuttal, Banerjee defended her state’s efforts, highlighting that 10 exclusive POCSO courts had been approved by the state government. Additionally, she mentioned that 88 fast-track special courts (FTSCs) and 62 POCSO-designated courts were operational across the state, all fully funded by the state government. "Monitoring and disposal of cases are entirely under the jurisdiction of the courts," Banerjee affirmed.
Banerjee also addressed concerns surrounding the functionality of fast-track courts in West Bengal. She pointed out that, as per central government guidelines, only retired judicial officers could serve as presiding officers in FTSCs. However, the West Bengal High Court had recommended that permanent judicial officers handle these cases due to their severity. "This matter requires examination by the Government of India, and your intervention would be necessary," Banerjee wrote in her appeal to the Prime Minister.
Responding to criticism about inadequate emergency helplines, Banerjee outlined that helplines such as 112 and 1098 were functioning satisfactorily in West Bengal. She further noted that "Dial 100" was extensively used in emergency situations throughout the state, providing a robust support system for those in need.
Last week, Banerjee reached out to Prime Minister Modi with a pressing demand for a stringent central law to punish rapists. She called for the establishment of fast-track special courts to expedite trials and deliver timely justice to the victims. In her first letter, Banerjee underscored the collective responsibility of lawmakers to combat the rising instances of rape and murder.
"It is our bounden duty to put an end to these heinous crimes, ensuring that women feel safe and secure," Banerjee wrote. "Such a serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed comprehensively through stringent central legislation that prescribes exemplary punishment for those involved in such dastardly acts."
Her plea for swift legislative action reflects the urgency to tackle gender-based violence and protect the rights of women across India.
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