Governor and Speaker Clash Over Anti-Rape Bill in West Bengal

West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee urged Governor C V Ananda Bose not to make political statements and review the Constitution regarding the anti-rape Bill passed by the assembly. The Governor criticized the state for not providing a necessary technical report with the Bill. The bill seeks severe punishments for rape convicts.

West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee on Friday urged Governor C V Ananda Bose to avoid making politically motivated statements and review the Constitution to determine whether the anti-rape Bill passed by the assembly requires further clarification.

On Thursday evening, Bose criticized the Mamata Banerjee administration for failing to send the necessary technical report along with the Bill for his assent.

Banerjee emphasized that the Governor should refrain from political remarks and should instead focus on constitutional requirements. Assembly sources noted that the technical report concerning the Bill was sent to the Raj Bhavan.

A Raj Bhavan official said, ''The state administration failed to attach a technical report with the 'Aparajita Bill,' which is mandatory before a decision on assent is taken.'' This bill, passed by the assembly on Tuesday, entails severe punishments, including capital punishment for rape convicts if the victim dies or is left in a vegetative state, and life imprisonment without parole for others. The Bill now awaits approval from the West Bengal Governor and the President.

(With inputs from agencies.)