Centre responds to Mamata Banerjee’s attack as Trinamool, BJP join hands to support Bengal’s ‘Aparajita’ anti-rape bill

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Mamata Banerjee for politicizing a recent rape case through the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill,’ which was unanimously passed in West Bengal's assembly. The bill seeks harsh penalties for rape, faster investigations, and improved justice delivery. The Centre accused Banerjee of ignoring past efforts for legal reforms.

The political rivalry between the Centre and West Bengal escalated further as the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the CM Mamata Banerjee of politicizing the recent tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata by bringing the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024. 

The bill, which is based on the ‘Aparajita’ woman, proposes capital punishment for the rape convicts if the crime leads to the death of the victim or leaves her in a persistent vegetative state. It also calls for life imprisonment without any possibility of parole for other offenders, faster investigations, and trials in sexual assault cases, and the need to enhance the legal provisions against such heinous crimes. Investigations are to be completed within 21 days, which is a drastic change from the previous two months. 

 Rijiju, however, accused Banerjee of inaction earlier, pointing to a central law enacted in 2018 that made it obligatory to set up fast-track special courts for rape cases under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act. He said that he had written several letters between 2019 and 2021 to the West Bengal government but they did not agree to set up 123 fast-track courts in the state. He accused Banerjee of shirking her ‘sacred duty’ of delivering justice for women and children on time. 

Also Read: CM of West Bengal Speaks on Kolkata Doctor Murder Case and Introduces New Bill

 On the other hand, the West Bengal Chief Minister supported the bill as ‘historic’ and called upon the national leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to explain why they have not enacted proper laws to protect women. The discussion in the West Bengal Assembly turned quite passionate with opposition leaders like Suvendu Adhikari accusing the government of using the bill to distract people’s outrage over the murder. In response, Banerjee demanded Adhikari’s resignation for stalling proceedings. 

 The bill, which is still awaiting the assent of the Bengal Governor and the President, will amend the existing laws such as the POCSA Act and the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, enhance the punishment for the sexual offenders and establish a strong mechanism for the speedy trial. Its passage comes after protests across the country after the brutal act that occurred at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.