Kumar Bahukhandi
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced a State Assembly session to pass a Bill mandating capital punishment for rapists, following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. She vowed to pressure Governor CV Ananda Bose to approve it and called for protests if he refused to sign the Bill.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee announced that a State Assembly session would be called next week to pass a Bill mandating capital punishment for people convicted of rape. She noted that the Bill would be sent to Governor CV Ananda Bose for approval but said that she doubted that he would pass it.
The West Bengal CM made the statement amid ongoing protests in the State following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata
“Next week, we will call an Assembly session and pass a Bill within 10 days to ensure capital punishment for rapists. We will send this Bill to the Governor. If he doesn’t pass, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This Bill must be passed and he cannot evade accountability this time.”
Banerjee was addressing an event on the foundation day of the student wing of her party, Trinamool Congress. She praised the efforts of the State police in confronting protesters who marched to the State Secretariat on Tuesday August 28 .
In her address, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded to the BJP’s criticism regarding the rape and murder of a doctor in a Kolkata hospital by questioning the progress of the CBI’s investigation into the case, asking, “Where is justice?”
The Trinamool Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s march to the state secretariat, Nabanna, which led to chaotic scenes on the streets of Kolkata. The police had to resort to using teargas, water cannons, and batons to disperse the protesters, resulting in the detention of over 200 people. In response to the police action, the BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh today.
‘Bangla Bandh’
BJP workers clashed with the police at various locations across West Bengal on Wednesday August 28 as they attempted to enforce a 12-hour state-wide shutdown. Several BJP leaders, including former Rajya Sabha MP Roopa Ganguly and MLA Agnimitra Paul, were detained for blocking roads and railway tracks since early morning.
The ‘Bangla Bandh’, which began at 6 am, was called by the BJP to protest against the police action during Tuesday August 27’s ‘Nabanna Abhijan’, a march to the state secretariat organised by the newly formed students’ group, Chatra Samaj, in response to the rape and murder of the doctor.
In Kolkata, the usual weekday bustle was noticeably reduced, with fewer buses, auto-rickshaws, and taxis on the roads. Private vehicles were also sparse, although markets and shops remained open. Schools and colleges operated as usual, though with reduced attendance. Many private offices saw lower attendance as employees were advised to work from home, while government offices reported normal attendance.
