BJP MLAs Observe Silence for Deceased Doctor Amid Assembly Row in West Bengal

BJP MLAs paid tribute to a doctor allegedly raped and murdered in a state-run hospital, observing a minute's silence in the West Bengal assembly. The Speaker rejected their demand to include her in the obituary references, leading to a heated exchange. The session aimed to introduce a Bill for capital punishment for rapists.

BJP MLAs paid tribute on Monday to a doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered in a state-run hospital, observing a minute's silence in the West Bengal assembly. This act of condolence followed the Speaker's refusal to include her in the official obituary references.

The contentious issue arose during the inaugural day of a two-day special session aimed at tabling a Bill seeking capital punishment for rape convicts. The rejection of the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari's demand led to a heated debate, with ruling TMC MLAs accusing BJP of politicizing the tragic incident.

Adhikari questioned the lack of a unified stand on such crimes, contrasting it with the assembly's tribute to former chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee. The Speaker cited a Supreme Court prohibition on naming rape victims as the reason for the rejection of the condolence request.

(With inputs from agencies.)