Gujarat CM urges Mamata Banerjee to prioritize 'action' over words on women's safety

Patel emphasized the need for timely and fair enforcement of laws like the POCSO Act to ensure justice.

Addressing the West Bengal CM, Bhupendra Patel, in a post on X said, "Mamta Didi, we need actions, not just words. The POCSO Act and other laws for women's safety are robust, but their impact depends on swift and fair action by local police. From investigation to conviction, timely justice is crucial."

He provided examples from Gujarat to explain his point. In Surat, the Pandesara POCSO case saw a chargesheet filed in 10 days, with the rapist sentenced to death in just 22 days. In another case from Puna, the rapist was sentenced to death within 32 days. Patel also noted that in the murder of a 22-year-old daughter, Gujarat Police filed a chargesheet in 9 days, with the murderer sentenced to death within 75 days.

Additionally, the Bhavnagar POCSO case saw a chargesheet filed in 24 hours and justice served in 52 days. Patel highlighted that culprits in stalking and harassment cases have been punished with 5-year sentences.

Demanding prompt action and responsibility from the West Bengal Government, Patel mentioned, "Women's safety is a fundamental human right, not a political issue. We must act with urgency, transparency, and collective responsibility. Let's ensure our mothers, daughters, and sisters live without fear. No more delays, no more excuses--only prompt action and accountability"

Notably, Patel's remarks comes at the backdrop of passage of an anti-rape bill by the West Bengal CM amid the growing agitation over the RG Kar medical incident.

The West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024' on Tuesday.

A nationwide protest had erupted demanding stringent laws for women's safety after a trainee doctor was raped and murdered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her support for West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2024 and said that the bill is being brought to secure the dignity of women and if Bengal is abused, it will have a ripple effect.

CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I had written two letters to the Prime Minister, but I did not get any reply from him, rather I got a reply from the Minister of Women and Child Development, but I also replied to her reply and informed the Prime Minister. When the Code of Justice Bill was passed in a hurry before the elections, I had said that it should not be passed in a hurry, the states were not consulted in this. I had opposed it many times as no advice was taken from the states in this regard, it should have been passed after discussing with the Rajya Sabha, the opposition, and all the parties, but this was not done. That is why today we are bringing this (bill) to secure protection for women. If Bengal is ill-treated, then it will have spillover effect." (ANI)