Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee demands strict nationwide anti-rape law

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee said on Saturday that the central government should bring in a strict nationwide anti-rape bill that can effectively eliminate the menace of rape in the country.
“At a time when the country was protesting the RG Kar rape-murder, rape incidents kept occurring every 10 minutes, according to official data. Hence, I reiterate that only a strong anti-rape law can eliminate this menace. The Centre should act immediately and implement it through an ordinance if it wishes,” news agency PTI quoted Banerjee as saying an an event in West Bengal’s Amtala.
He also said that the President was yet to give consent to the anti-rape bill passed by the West Bengal Assembly.
Notably, the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024 was unanimously passed in the state Assembly on September 3, amid nationwide outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
He said that if the amendment was passed, it could be implemented across the country.
“We have demonstrated our intent to tackle such crimes by introducing this law. I have condemned the RG Kar incident and said such perpetrators have no right to live. They should be given capital punishment,” he added.
Highlighting that the Bill was pending with the President, he said, “If the President doesn’t give assent to the Aparajita Bill, I will bring a private member’s Bill.”
Banerjee said that doctors can reach out directly to his office to report any attacks on them. He also said that a 10-member priority group has been formed to take care of their grievances.
A helpline number can also be used by doctors if they are harassed or attacked, he said.
The body of the 31-year-old trainee doctor was found in the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. An autopsy later confirmed that she was raped and murdered. Sanjoy Roy, a civil volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested the next day in connection with the incident.