Mamata Banerjee Demands Resignations as Bengal Assembly Passes 'Aparajita' Anti-Rape Bill

West Bengal Chief Minister Criticizes Central Leaders Amid Rape-Murder Case

In a heated session of the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the chief ministers of states with recent rape and sexual abuse cases. Banerjee's remarks came as the Assembly passed the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, a new piece of legislation aimed at strengthening protections for women and children.

Aparajita Bill Aims for Swift Justice

The Aparajita Bill, introduced to address increasing concerns about violence against women, focuses on expediting investigations, delivering faster justice, and increasing penalties for perpetrators of sexual offences. Banerjee emphasized that the bill seeks to address gaps in existing central legislation and enhance protections for victims.

"The bill is designed to close the loopholes in the central laws and provide a more robust legal framework to combat rape and sexual crimes," Banerjee stated. She also urged the Opposition to prompt Governor CV Ananda Bose to sign the bill into law, describing it as a crucial step for enacting effective reforms.

Political Tensions and Protests

Banerjee's demand for resignations was a direct response to criticisms and slogans from BJP MLAs, who had called for her resignation. The Chief Minister countered, "If you are raising slogans against me, what if I raise slogans against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for their failures?" She criticized the high crime rates in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, contrasting them with what she claimed as West Bengal's better track record in delivering justice.

The bill's passage was marked by chaotic scenes in the Assembly, though it received unanimous support from the members. The proposed amendments by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, however, were not adopted.

Context of the Legislation

The Aparajita Bill was introduced against the backdrop of protests by junior doctors demanding severe punishment for those involved in the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Banerjee expressed strong condemnation of the crime, calling for justice from the CBI and advocating for the death penalty for the perpetrators.
 

Future Steps

With the bill now passed, the focus will shift to its implementation and the role of the Governor in formalizing it. Banerjee's administration aims to address the concerns raised by the recent crime and improve the legal framework to better protect women and children in West Bengal.