Amid the ongoing ‘Bangla Bandh’ called by the BJP in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday issued a “deadline” to the Centre for enacting a law on crimes against women. Banerjee stated that if the central government fails to implement such legislation within the next three to four months, the TMC would initiate a “major movement” in Delhi.
“If a time-bound law addressing crimes against women is not passed by the Centre within the next three to four months, the Trinamool Congress will stage a significant protest in Delhi,” Banerjee declared during a rally commemorating the 27th foundation day of the West Bengal Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, the TMC’s student wing.
Banerjee also voiced his opposition to the BJP’s ‘Bangla Bandh’ in the city.
“We oppose the 12-hour ‘Bangla Bandh’ called by the BJP,” he said.
This statement comes a day after Banerjee demanded a stringent anti-rape law that mandates trials and convictions within 50 days of the crime. He also shared a chart on X highlighting the number of rapes and atrocities against women over the past 15 days, following an incident at RG Kar Hospital.
“This collage serves as a stark reminder of the state of affairs in India over the last 15 days as the nation demands justice against rape. The solution is clear: a stringent anti-rape law that mandates trials and convictions within 50 days, followed by swift and severe punishment. The disturbing reality is that the conviction rate for rape cases in India is a mere 26 percent. This means that out of every 100 reported cases, only 26 result in convictions, while 74 offenders go unpunished,” he wrote.
Banerjee further emphasized that anything short of a strict law is “futile” and “merely symbolic and ultimately ineffective.”
On Wednesday, the BJP called for a 12-hour ‘Bangla Bandh’ to protest what it described as “brutal” police action against “peaceful” protesters during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally. The bandh, which began at 6 am, disrupted life in various parts of the state.
Numerous BJP supporters staged demonstrations in support of the bandh at Bongaon station in North 24 Parganas, Gocharan station in South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad station.
During these demonstrations, clashes occurred between BJP workers and the police at multiple locations across the state. BJP leaders, including former Rajya Sabha MP Roopa Ganguly and MLA Agnimitra Paul, were detained for obstructing roads and railway tracks in the city.
The bandh was called a day after members of the newly formed, unauthorized student group ‘Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj’ and other organizations organized a ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally in Kolkata to protest the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The rally proceeded despite being declared “illegal” and “unauthorized” by state police, who cited concerns about potential violence and public disorder.
During the rally, clashes broke out between police and protesters, prompting the police to use lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd.”
