West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee dedicated the foundation day of the party’s student wing, the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), to the Kolkata rape and murder victim. Addressing the gathering, she announced that the state government would introduce anti-rape legislation, aiming for capital punishment for the accused.

Anti-Rape Laws with Capital Punishment on the Agenda

Banerjee revealed plans to pass a bill in the West Bengal Assembly that would enforce stricter anti-rape laws, with provisions for capital punishment. “We will pass a bill on anti-rape laws that would secure capital punishment for the rapist within seven days of the crime,” she stated.

BJP Protest Over Kolkata Rape Case

Mamata Banerjee also took aim at the BJP for calling a “Bengal Bandh” in protest of the Kolkata rape and murder. She accused the party of attempting to defame the state rather than seeking justice for the victim. Responding to the BJP’s demands for her resignation, Banerjee retorted, “Have the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Manipur resigned over crimes against women in their states?”

Call for Protests and Demands for Justice

The Chief Minister urged TMC supporters to hold protests on August 31 and September 1, demanding capital punishment for the accused and stronger anti-rape laws. She also expressed frustration over the CBI’s progress in investigating the case, asking, “Where is justice?” Banerjee criticized the delay in the probe, suggesting that the case was sent to the CBI to stall justice.

BJP Accused of Vandalism During Bandh

Banerjee accused BJP workers of resorting to violence during the 12-hour bandh, claiming they attacked police officers and vandalized property. “The police were beaten, they had burnt vehicles,” she said, condemning the unrest that followed the protest.