NCP-SCP Intensifies Protest Over Stalled Shakti Bill

The NCP-SCP holds a protest against the delay in the Shakti Bill's approval. The bill, aimed at strengthening anti-rape laws, has been stalled for three years. Party leaders Anil Deshmukh and Supriya Sule criticize both central and state governments for inaction.

In light of ongoing discussions about anti-rape legislation in India, the NCP-SCP has ramped up its protests over the prolonged delay in securing approval for the Shakti Bill. Anil Deshmukh, former State Home Minister and leader of the NCP-SCP, sharply criticized the three-year stall since the bill's passage under the leadership of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Deshmukh emphasized that the bill, designed to fortify anti-rape laws, was submitted to the central government three years ago but still awaits approval. 'We passed the bill three years ago under Uddhav Thackeray's Maha Vikas Aghadi government and sent it to Delhi. The bill has been pending in Delhi for the last three years. I have written to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, as he is in power and so we can implement it in Maharashtra. If CM Eknath Shinde doesn't address this issue, we will protest at the Governor's house,' Deshmukh stated.

Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) MP Supriya Sule, accompanied by party workers, held a demonstration against the Maharashtra government over the delay in the Shakti Bill's approval. The protest, comprising mainly women holding placards and shouting slogans, took place at Mahatma Gandhi's statue near the state secretariat. Sule criticized the central and state governments for their inaction and announced plans to meet with the leaders of the INDIA alliance and the Home Minister to expedite the bill's approval.

(With inputs from agencies.)