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Rape is a curse against humanity and social reforms are required to prevent such crimes, Mamata Banerjee said in the Bengal assembly. (Screengrab)
Banerjee alleged that West Bengal was not consulted before passing BNS
As West Bengal cleared the anti-rape “Aparajita” bill, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the chief ministers of all states that have “not been able to implement effective legislations to safeguard women”.
Titled the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,’ the legislation aims to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences. Addressing the state assembly after tabling the bill, Banerjee said the Bill aims at quick investigation, fast justice delivery and enhanced punishment of the guilty.
‘Rape is a curse’
“Rape is a curse against humanity and social reforms are required to prevent such crimes,” she said. Passing the Bill as “historic and model for other states”, Banerjee said that through this proposed legislation, her government has tried to plug the loopholes that exist in the central legislations.
#WATCH | Kolkata: At the West Bengal Assembly, CM Mamata Banerjee says, “…This bill will ensure that the harshest punishment is given for cases of harassment and rape of women. In this, the provisions of the POCSO Act have been further tightened… Death penalty has been… pic.twitter.com/zsCSm8CpOQ— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2024
Crime rates against women
When the BJP MLAs raised slogans demanding her resignation, she retorted, “What if I raise slogans against the prime minister and the home minister for the same reasons you are raising slogans against me.” States like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have abnormally high crime rates against women whereas in West Bengal, tortured women are getting justice in courts, she claimed. Banerjee alleged that West Bengal was not consulted before passing BNS.
“We wanted discussions on it after the formation of the new government at the Centre,” she said. Banerjee told the Opposition to ask the governor to sign the Bill without delay, while asserting that it would be the state government’s responsibility for its effective enactment. “We want justice from the CBI and death by hanging of the guilty,” Banerjee said over the rape and murder of the RG Kar medic while expressing her sorrow over the gruesome crime. The Bill was later passed unanimously amid some chaotic scenes on the floor of the House.
Leader of Opposition
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government moved the anti-rape Bill to divert attention from public anger and protests over the murder of a doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Speaking during discussion on the bill, the BJP leader said “We will give full support to the new bill and will not seek voting on it.” He alleged that the TMC government failed to prevent incidents of rape and sexual abuse of women during its tenure. Adhikari demanded immediate enactment of the bill by the state government after its passage.
(With agency inputs)
