West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her government will amend state laws next week to introduce the death penalty for rapists. This declaration comes in the wake of the recent rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state.
Speaking at a rally on the foundation day of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) student wing, Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), Banerjee said that the state government will bring a Bill to the Assembly demanding capital punishment for rapists. "We will introduce a Bill to amend anti-rape laws, ensuring that rapists receive capital punishment within seven days of the offense," she announced. She called for state-wide protests on August 31 and September 1 to demand swift justice and support the proposed amendment.
The Chief Minister also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for calling a 12-hour "Bengal Bandh" in protest against the Kolkata incident, accusing the BJP of using the tragedy to malign the state. "They don’t want justice; they are only trying to defame Bengal," Banerjee said, alleging that BJP supporters resorted to vandalism and violence, including attacks on police personnel during the bandh.
In response to the BJP's demand for her resignation over the incident, Banerjee pointed to similar crimes in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Manipur, questioning why their Chief Ministers have not resigned. "Have the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Manipur resigned over crimes against women in their states?" she retorted.
Banerjee also criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its handling of the rape and murder case, which was handed over to the agency after a request from the victim's family. She alleged that the BJP’s call for a CBI probe was a ploy to delay justice. "I asked for five days' time, but the case was sent to the CBI. It has been 16 days. Where is the justice?" she questioned.
Amid the ongoing tensions, BJP leader Priyangu Pandey alleged that TMC workers attacked his vehicle with bombs and gunfire while he was traveling to BJP leader Arjun Singh's residence. "This is a coordinated plot involving both the TMC and the police," he alleged.. They planned my murder," Pandey claimed, accusing the police of withdrawing his security ahead of the incident.
As the political conflict intensifies, West Bengal is bracing for more protests and possible legislative changes in the coming days. The proposed amendment to impose the death penalty for rape is likely to spark debates and reactions from various political and civil society groups.
