“Please don't make it political…”: Kiren Rijiju Responds to West Bengal Govt’s Anti-Rape Bill Accuses Mamata Banerjee of Politicising the Issue

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday responded to the West Bengal legislative assembly's recent passage of the anti-rape bill, which was approved unanimously. The bill, known as the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,’ proposes severe penalties for sexual offenders, including capital punishment for cases resulting in death or a vegetative state, and life imprisonment without parole for other rape cases.

Rijiju criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly politicizing the tragic death of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He accused Banerjee of failing to act on preventive measures and claimed that the central government had introduced stringent laws in 2018 to address heinous crimes like rape.

Sharing a letter dated November 11, 2018, Rijiju stated that Mamata Banerjee’s Government had failed to act. “This is an extremely serious matter. Please don't make it a political issue. Very strong laws are necessary but strong actions are more important. When the letter was written, the media had carried this news extensively, but the West Bengal Govt failed to act!” posted Rijiju on “X”. In his letter sent in 2018, Rijiju had requested the West Bengal government’s cooperation in setting up fast-track special courts (FTSCs) for the expedited trial of rape and POCSO Act cases. Rijiju highlighted that despite multiple communications over the years, the Trinamool Congress government had not consented to this centrally sponsored scheme. The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister expressed disappointment that the West Bengal government had not acted on the establishment of 123 FTSCs, including 20 ePOCSO Courts, as earmarked for the state.

The response from the Centre came a day after the West Bengal assembly passed the state’s anti-rape Bill. The proposed legislation includes provisions for completing investigations within 21 days, down from the previous two-month deadline and establishing a special task force led by women officers for these cases. The West Bengal government convened a special two-day session to introduce and pass the bill. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hailed the bill as “historic” and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other chief ministers of states lacking effective anti-rape laws.

The bill, which still requires assent from the Bengal Governor and then the President, also proposes amendments to recent laws like the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023. It aims to enhance punishments and streamline the investigation and trial processes for sexual violence. Additionally, the bill stipulates that fines imposed on perpetrators should be fair and reasonable to cover medical expenses and rehabilitation for victims or their families.​