BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya said that the new legislation seeks to curtail press freedom while diverting attention from the recent rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata.
Malviya in his X post accused Mamata Banerjee of attempting to “hide her criminal intent” behind the new law, claiming that it was a “desperate attempt” to shift focus away from the widespread protests that erupted after the tragic incident.
He alleged that the law, under the guise of protecting women, includes provisions that would limit reporting on judicial proceedings in rape cases, effectively silencing the media.
“Why is Mamata Banerjee trying to silence the media? So much for free speech and press freedom!” Malviya tweeted, questioning the chief minister’s sincerity in addressing crimes against women. He further called on Banerjee to take concrete actions if she truly aims to tackle these issues, including apologising to the women of Sandeshkhali for defending Sheikh Shahjahan, a rape accused, on the floor of the West Bengal Assembly, and ensuring that Shahjahan is the first to face the death penalty under the new law.
Malviya’s comments came in response to Banerjee’s statements in the West Bengal Assembly, where she hit back at the BJP by citing high-profile rape cases in BJP-ruled states like Unnao and Hathras. Banerjee expressed disapproval of the central government’s decision to pass the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) without consulting her state and criticized the central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, for failing to implement effective laws to protect women.
Taking it to X, Mamata Banerjee said, “A society that cannot ensure the safety of its women can never be ideal. Today, GoWB passed the historic Aparajita anti-rape Bill to address pertinent issues caused by gaps in the existing criminal laws. Let us all unite together and address this menace collectively!”
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Tuesday slammed the anti-rape bill passed in the West Bengal assembly as a “diversionary tactic” and asked if Shahjahan Sheikh, the main accused in the Sandeshkhali sexual abuse case, will get the death penalty under the proposed law. Talking to reporters, Chouhan, a senior BJP leader and the Union agriculture minister, accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being “insensitive” towards women.
Chouhan said: “Mamata Banerjee has become insensitive. Madhya Pradesh was the first state in the country to implement such a law in 2017, and so far, 42 people have been given the death sentence. The bill has been brought to divert attention from the heinous crime at RG Kar Medical College. Why didn’t the Mamata government introduce the bill earlier? Those responsible for the RG Kar incident should receive the death penalty. Will people like Sheikh Shahjahan also face the death penalty under this bill?”
Meanwhile, Union MoS and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar said, “Mamata Banerjee is doing ‘dramabaazi’. The legislation brought today is unconstitutional. There is already a central law which has the provision of the death penalty. So the legislation brought by Mamata Banerjee today is only ‘dramabaazi’. This legislation will be challenged in Supreme Court and it will be cancelled.”
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh hailed the bill as a historic move by the Mamata Banerjee-led government to provide stringent punishment for rape and murder. “History has been created in West Bengal legislative assembly. For the first time a bill has been passed by Mamata Banerjee led government to provide stringent punishment to those involved in incidents of rape and murder. The Governor of West Bengal should provide assent to the bill,” Ghosh said.
The new anti-rape bill introduced by Banerjee aims to expedite investigations, deliver swift justice, and impose stricter punishments, including the death penalty for those convicted of rape resulting in the victim’s death or leaving her in a inhumane state.
The bill also includes provisions for life imprisonment without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape, as well as penalties for unauthorized publishing of court-related matters.
The BJP has raised concerns over its potential impact on press freedom and transparency in judicial proceedings. Malviya urged Banerjee to remove the clause that seeks to limit media reporting on rape cases and called for the immediate establishment of fast-track courts to address crimes against women and minor girls.