'I salute the police ...': CM Mamata Banerjee slams 12-hour 'BJP Bengal Bandh'
Times of India | 28 August 2024
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' protest held in response to the 'Nabanna Abhijan' violence, claiming it was an effort to malign the state.
Banerjee reiterated her government's demand for justice for the victims of the RG Kar Hospital incident, expressing her disapproval of the bandh and supporting police actions during the Nabanna Abhijan rally.
"We have dedicated this day to the RG Kar doctor. We want justice but BJP today called for a bandh. They don't want justice, they are only trying to defame Bengal," Mamata Banerjee stated.
She described the 'Bengal Bandh' as unnecessary and emphasized that the BJP had not sought the resignations of chief ministers in other states. She defended the police's handling of the Nabanna Abhijan protestors.
"We don't support this bandh. BJP never demanded the resignations of the CMs of UP, MP and even Manipur. We saw pictures from yesterday (Nabanna Abhiyan rally), I salute the police for handling the situation well," Banerjee said.
Addressing the issue of violence against women, Banerjee called for severe punishment for rapists and announced forthcoming legislative measures from her government.
"For this, there is only one punishment- to hang till death," she said.
She further disclosed the West Bengal government's plan to introduce a bill within the next ten days to ensure the capital punishment for rapists.
"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 the bill, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This Bill must be passed and he cannot evade accountability this time," Banerjee added.
TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee also voiced opposition to the BJP's 'Bengal Bandh' and underscored the need for timely legal action against crimes targeting women.
"We oppose the 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' called by BJP," Abhishek Banerjee reiterated.
He urged the central government to enact legislation concerning crimes against women, warning of a significant protest in Delhi if no action is taken within a few months.
"If a time-bound legislation pertaining to the crimes against women is not passed by the Centre in the next 3-4 months, then Trinamool Congress will hold a big movement in Delhi," he said.
The BJP's call for a '12 hour Bengal Bandh' followed police actions including lathi charge, water cannons, and tear gas against demonstrators in the Nabanna Abhijan rally.