Kolkata, September 03 — The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is set to introduce a new bill in the Legislative Assembly aimed at preventing violence against women and children. The initiative comes in response to the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital, which has sparked widespread outrage across the state.

The proposed bill, titled the "Aparajita Women and Children Bill (West Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2024)," is expected to be presented on Tuesday. According to government sources, the bill seeks to amend the Indian Penal Code and the Indian Criminal Procedure Code specifically for Bengal, introducing stricter laws related to sexual harassment, rape, and gang rape. The goal is to enhance the safety of women and children and ensure speedy trials for such crimes.

The bill includes several stringent non-bailable clauses that aim to impose severe penalties for crimes against women:

- Rape: Punishable by life imprisonment and a fine or death.

- Gang Rape: Punishable by life imprisonment and a fine or death.

- Rape Leading to Death: Death penalty and a fine if the victim dies due to injuries inflicted by the rapist.

- Rape Resulting in Coma: Death penalty and a fine.

In addition to these penalties, the bill proposes the creation of an "Aparajita Task Force" dedicated to protecting women and children. This task force will operate on a district-by-district basis and be led by officers of DSP rank, with a preference for women officers. The bill also includes a provision for a three to five-year jail term and a fine for anyone who discloses the identity of a victim of assault. However, this particular offence is bailable.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party is expected to participate in the discussion on this significant bill. Once passed by the Assembly, the bill will be sent to the Governor for approval to become law.

The bill has also sparked controversy within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. Following the announcement, some party members made derogatory comments about doctors and women, causing discomfort within the party leadership. These remarks led to public condemnation and protests across West Bengal.

On Sunday, Lovely Maitra, a star MLA from Sonarpur South, referred to doctors as "butchers" during a party programme. Similarly, Atish Sarkar, a former councillor of Ashoknagar municipality, made inflammatory remarks about defacing pictures of the families of those opposing the government. MLA Kanchan Mallick questioned the legitimacy of striking government employees and their salaries.

These comments have led to a public backlash, forcing Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool All India General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, to instruct party leaders and workers to be more humble and restrained to calm public anger.

Mamata Banerjee has been vocal about the need for stricter laws to prevent rape. Speaking at the foundation anniversary of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad on Mayo Road on August 28, she asserted that the only fitting punishment for rapists is hanging. She announced the state's intention to bring a bill in the state assembly to enforce this. Echoing her sentiments, Abhishek Banerjee also stated that he would introduce a private member's bill in Parliament against rape and violence against women.

As the new bill moves forward, it remains to be seen how the Legislative Assembly will respond and what impact these proposed changes will have on women's safety in West Bengal.