‘If the state government follows…’: WCD Minister responds to Mamata Banerjee’s second letter to PM Modi

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Ampurna Devi on Friday replied to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her earlier demand for stringent punishment for heinous crimes like rape and rape-murder.The Minister for Women and Child Development mentioned that stringent punishment for rape/rape-murder “is already in the BNS”.

“The Act provides for a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment till the death of the offender or death penalty depending on the gravity of the crime,” the federal minister said in the letter.

“If the state government complies with the central legislation…”

“I reiterate that the laws enacted by the Central government are comprehensive and stringent enough to combat violence and crimes against women. If the State government follows the Central legislation in letter and spirit, it will definitely have a lasting impact in strengthening the criminal justice system, making the perpetrators of such crimes face consequences commensurate with their crimes and ensuring justice for the victims or survivors,” Anpurna Devi further said.

At the end of the letter, the Indian central government minister emphasized that “the central government is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls and taking measures to create a safe, secure ecosystem and a gender-equal society where they can grow and prosper.”

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee shared her second letter on microblogging site X and said: “There has been no reply from your side on such a sensitive issue. However, the Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has replied but the reply does not mention the importance of the issues raised in my letter.”