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The West Bengal Assembly took a significant step towards enacting stricter punishments for sexual offenses by unanimously passing the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024. The bill, tabled by state law minister Moloy Ghatak, proposes the death penalty for rape convicts, aiming to create a 'safer environment for women and children' by ensuring more stringent punishments for rape and related crimes. This move comes in the wake of widespread protests following the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, highlighting the urgency felt by the state government to address the alarming rise in such crimes.
The bill's scope extends beyond capital punishment for rape, encompassing amendments to various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with criminal laws. It seeks to revise punishments for offenses such as acid attacks, rape and murder, gangrape, and repeat sex offenders, aiming to ensure that perpetrators face harsher consequences for their actions. Additionally, the bill proposes to eliminate concessions granted to juvenile sex offenders under the current law, signifying a stricter stance against all forms of sexual violence.
While the Opposition BJP welcomed the bill, it sought to introduce seven amendments, highlighting their concerns about the legislation's implementation. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari's proposed amendments, however, were not accepted by the Assembly. This led to protests from Opposition MLAs who demanded the Chief Minister's resignation. In response, Mamata Banerjee countered by demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, escalating the political tension surrounding the bill's passage.
The bill's passage has sparked a broader national conversation about the need for comprehensive and swift action to combat sexual violence. Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee called for decisive action from the Centre, emphasizing the urgent need for a 'comprehensive time-bound anti-rape law'. He urged the Union government to consider amending the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita or introducing an ordinance during the upcoming Parliament session to ensure swift and severe justice, with trials and convictions concluded within 50 days. This call for a central-level response underscores the shared responsibility across all tiers of government in tackling the pervasive issue of sexual violence.
Source: West Bengal Assembly passes bill proposing death penalty for rape convicts