Bengal anti-rape ‘Aparajita’ Bill passed amid ‘Mamata Banerjee vs BJP’ fireworks in assembly
After a brief discussion, the West Bengal Assembly passed the anti-rape ‘Aparajita’ bill which provides for the death penalty for rape and sexual offences for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state.
In Short
- Bengal Assembly unanimously passes bill after brief discussion
- Bill seeks death penalty for rapists if victim dies
- Bill to be sent to Bengal Governor, then President for their assent
The West Bengal assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed an anti-rape ‘Aparajita’ bill brought in by the Mamata Banerjee government. With this, Bengal became the first state to bring in amendments to central laws dealing with offences of rape, gang-rape, and sexual crimes against children.
The bill will now be sent to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and then to President Droupadi Murmu for their assent.
The bill, ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024, provides for the death penalty for rape and sexual offences for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state.
As West Bengal cleared the anti-rape “Aparajita” bill, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the chief ministers of all states that have “not been able to implement effective legislations to safeguard women”.
Titled the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,’ the legislation aims to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences. Addressing the state assembly after tabling the bill, Banerjee said the Bill aims at quick investigation, fast justice delivery and enhanced punishment of the guilty.
‘Rape is a curse’
“Rape is a curse against humanity and social reforms are required to prevent such crimes,” she said. Passing the Bill as “historic and model for other states”, Banerjee said that through this proposed legislation, her government has tried to plug the loopholes that exist in the central legislations.
Crime rates against women
When the BJP MLAs raised slogans demanding her resignation, she retorted, “What if I raise slogans against the prime minister and the home minister for the same reasons you are raising slogans against me.” States like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have abnormally high crime rates against women whereas in West Bengal, tortured women are getting justice in courts, she claimed. Banerjee alleged that West Bengal was not consulted before passing BNS.
“We wanted discussions on it after the formation of the new government at the Centre,” she said. Banerjee told the Opposition to ask the governor to sign the Bill without delay, while asserting that it would be the state government’s responsibility for its effective enactment. “We want justice from the CBI and death by hanging of the guilty,” Banerjee said over the rape and murder of the RG Kar medic while expressing her sorrow over the gruesome crime. The Bill was later passed unanimously amid some chaotic scenes on the floor of the House.