Senior Congress leaders in West Bengal on Saturday ridiculed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s demand for the Centre enacting more stringent laws to prevent crimes against women, and raised questions about “inaction” in the State.
“Why are the accused in rape cases not apprehended? What is the reason that the main accused in the Park Street rape case has not been arrested so far?” Union Minister of State for Urban Development Deepa Dasmunsi asked at a public gathering here.
“While Ms. Banerjee wants a new set of laws, one wonders what is preventing the State government from arresting the main accused in the case. I want to humbly point out to the Chief Minister that if the accused in such cases are not arrested and if the number of crimes against women continues to rise, then people will not forgive you.”
‘Appalling remark’
She also condemned Friday’s remarks made by Trinamool Congress MP Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, who dismissed the Park Street rape as a misunderstanding between a woman and her clients. The people of the State were appalled at such comments, said Ms Dasmunsi. Minister of State for Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said attempts were being made in this State to discriminate between rape cases, for narrow political gains. “Such an attempt can be described only as political and mental bankruptcy,” he said, adding a social movement was required to tackle such crimes.
