Mamata Banerjee Champions Criminal Laws Amendment Bill to Protect Women in West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced strong support for the West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2024 to safeguard women's dignity. Banerjee called for justice and stringent punishments for rapists while addressing gaps in the central government's response to crimes against women.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has thrown her weight behind the West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2024, advocating for enhanced protections for women's dignity. Banerjee highlighted the bill's importance, emphasizing that any abuse towards Bengal would have widespread repercussions.

In her address, Banerjee shared her grievances about the lack of response from the Prime Minister regarding her letters, noting that her concerns were instead answered by the Minister of Women and Child Development. She criticized the hurried passage of the Code of Justice Bill without consulting states and stressed the need for thorough discussion with all political factions. Banerjee underlined the urgency of the new bill to secure women's protection, stating, 'If Bengal is mistreated, it will have a ripple effect.'

Banerjee also pointed out the absence of women's police stations under CPM rule and condemned the garlanding of Bilkis case rapists. She asserted that Kolkata remains safer than other cities and reiterated her commitment to fight for girls' rights. Reflecting on the 43rd anniversary of the UN's committee on eliminating discrimination against women, she called for stringent punishment for rapists and urged unanimous support for the bill. Banerjee recounted the swift police action following the junior doctor's death on August 9, highlighting efforts to secure justice through fast-track courts or CBI intervention. The CM revealed that West Bengal has 88 fast-track courts and 52 designated courts for women, with over 3 lakh cases processed and 7,000 pending. She criticized the Opposition's silence on cases like Unnao and Hatras and underscored the national crisis of daily rapes, with a mere 2.56 percent conviction rate.

Meanwhile, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee called on the central government for decisive action on anti-rape laws, citing the alarming statistic of a rape every 15 minutes. He urged for a comprehensive, time-bound anti-rape law, pushing the Union to ensure swift and severe justice with trial and conviction completed in 50 days.

(With inputs from agencies.)