The Trinamul Congress government is poised to introduce a significant piece of legislation in a two-day special session of the state Assembly starting today. The proposed Bill aims to impose capital punishment for individuals convicted of rape and will be tabled for discussion and passage on Tuesday, the second day of the session. While full details of the Bill have yet to be disclosed, it is reported to propose treating all rape cases equivalently to murder, with a life term being the minimum punishment for the crime.
This legislative move comes in response to intense public outcry and ongoing protests following the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month. The incident has triggered widespread demands for stronger legal measures to deter such heinous crimes.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing the issue during the Trinamul Congress Chhatra Parishad foundation day event on Wednesday, emphasized the urgency of the new law. “I will tell the Speaker to call the special session and ensure that within 10 days, we have a law that provides for capital punishment for rapists. We will send the Bill to the governor,” Banerjee stated. She expressed confidence that the governor would have no choice but to sign the Bill into law, despite her skepticism about the governor’s response. “I know he [the governor] won’t do anything. But he will have to sign it. Or else women will sit in front of the Raj Bhawan. This time he won’t be able to send it to the President for consideration,” she added.
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Banerjee’s remarks underscore the government’s determination to address the issue of sexual violence with a stringent legal framework. The chief minister had previously written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on two occasions, urging for the implementation of a more rigorous anti-rape law and expedited justice for victims.
The special session of the Assembly will not only focus on the Anti-Rape Bill but is also expected to be a platform for heated discussions and debates on the issue of women’s safety and justice. As the state prepares to deliberate on this crucial legislation, the broader public will be closely watching to see if the proposed measures meet the pressing demands for justice and deterrence.
