Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the introduction of the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, a new anti-rape law passed by the state assembly. The BJP alleges that the law is an attempt to curtail press freedom and distract from the recent rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata.
BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya took to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse Mamata Banerjee of trying to “hide her criminal intent” with the new legislation, describing it as a “desperate attempt” to shift the focus away from the widespread protests following the tragic incident. Malviya claimed that the law, under the guise of protecting women, includes provisions that restrict media reporting on judicial proceedings in rape cases, effectively silencing the press.
“Why is Mamata Banerjee trying to silence the media? So much for free speech and press freedom!” Malviya tweeted, questioning the chief minister’s commitment to addressing crimes against women. He further urged Banerjee to take genuine actions, including apologizing to the women of Sandeshkhali for defending Sheikh Shahjahan, a rape accused, in the West Bengal Assembly, and ensuring Shahjahan is the first to face the death penalty under the new law.
Malviya’s remarks were in response to Banerjee’s statements in the West Bengal Assembly, where she countered the BJP by referencing high-profile rape cases in BJP-ruled states such as Unnao and Hathras. Banerjee criticized the central government for passing the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) without consulting her state and condemned the central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for failing to enact effective laws to protect women.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also criticized Banerjee, stating, “Mamata Banerjee has become insensitive. Madhya Pradesh was the first state in the country to implement such a law in 2017, and so far, 42 people have been given the death sentence. The bill has been brought to divert attention from the heinous crime at RG Kar Medical College. Why didn’t the Mamata government introduce the bill earlier? Those responsible for the RG Kar incident should receive the death penalty. Will people like Sheikh Shahjahan also face the death penalty under this bill?”
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar accused Banerjee of political theatrics, calling the new legislation “unconstitutional.” He pointed out that a central law already provides for the death penalty in such cases, suggesting that Banerjee’s bill is unnecessary and will likely be challenged in the Supreme Court.
The newly introduced anti-rape bill aims to expedite investigations, ensure swift justice, and impose harsher penalties, including the death penalty for those convicted of rape that results in the victim’s death or leaves her in a severe condition. It also proposes life imprisonment without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape, and penalizes unauthorized publication of court-related matters.
However, the BJP has raised concerns about the bill’s potential impact on press freedom and transparency in judicial proceedings. Malviya has urged Banerjee to remove the clause limiting media reporting on rape cases and called for the immediate establishment of fast-track courts to address crimes against women and minors.
