The West Bengal Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024’. This significant legislation was introduced in response to the horrifying rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital on August 9.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a strong advocate for the bill, highlighted its crucial role in protecting the dignity and safety of women in the state. She expressed her concerns regarding the lack of consultation with states during the drafting of the national Code of Justice Bill, arguing that a more inclusive approach should have been taken.
“I wrote to the Prime Minister twice, but received no response, apart from a reply from the Minister of Women and Child Development,” Banerjee stated, criticizing the central government’s handling of the issue. She emphasized that this new state legislation aims to address the shortcomings of the national law, ensuring that women’s rights and safety in Bengal are prioritized.
Banerjee also condemned the treatment of women in other parts of India, referencing incidents such as the garlanding of convicted rapists in the Bilkis Bano case and the absence of women police stations during the Communist Party of India (Marxist) rule. She reassured that Kolkata remains one of the safest cities for women and vowed to continue her fight for women’s rights.
The passage of the bill coincided with the 43rd anniversary of the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Banerjee expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family of the trainee doctor and reiterated her demand for severe punishment for the perpetrators, including the death penalty.
Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, also supported the bill, urging the state government to ensure its swift and effective implementation. He emphasized that the passage of the bill should result in concrete measures to protect women and children across West Bengal.