The women’s wing of the Trinamool Congress organised a series of daylong sit-ins in every block of the state on Sunday amid the ongoing protests and mounting public outcry over the RG Kar brutality.

The protests, which included marches and demonstrations, were aimed at reiterating the party’s demand for the death penalty for the perpetrators and pushing for amendments to existing laws to ensure stricter punishments for rapists.

The women’s wing members in various districts were seen raising slogans and carrying placards with “Noose for the Rapists” written on them.

The widespread participation of women in the movement underscored the growing public sentiment against gender-based violence, particularly rape, and the demand for swift and severe punishment for those guilty of such heinous crimes.

The initiative follows an announcement made by chief minister Mamata Banerjee on August 28 during the Foundation Day speech of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad. She had emphasised the urgency of enacting laws that would not only expedite the trial process but also ensure capital punishment for rapists. She also wrote two letters to the Centre raising the need for a law to ensure stringent punishment for rapists.

In her speech, she flayed the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of failing to introduce effective legislation that could safeguard women and deliver timely justice.

“We will not sit silently while our daughters are unsafe. Next week, we will call an Assembly session and pass a bill within 10 days to ensure capital punishment for rapists. If the governor refuses to pass this bill, we will protest outside the Raj Bhavan. He must be held accountable,” Banerjee had declared.

The protests were not limited to the women’s wing. Members of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad also organised statewide demonstrations in solidarity with the cause, following Mamata's call for action.

Trinamool Mahila Congress state president Chandrima Bhattacharya accused the BJP-led central government of hypocrisy. “The BJP talks about ‘Beti Bachao’ but fails to take concrete steps to protect women. Instead, it has often been seen welcoming those accused of heinous crimes. We are here to voice the people’s demand for justice and ensure that the rapists receive the punishment they deserve,” Bhattacharya said.

She pointed out that despite repeated calls for tougher laws, the BJP-led Centre has not delivered on its promises to address crimes against women. Bhattacharya stressed that the Trinamool would continue to press for amendments that ensure faster trials and more severe penalties for those convicted of rape, including the death penalty.

The Trinamool's campaign for justice for the rape victim in a state ruled by the party itself has drawn flak from the Opposition. While the BJP termed it a drama to mislead people, the CPM alleged that the ruling party was trying to divert the focus.

Demanding the chief minister's resignation, state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said: “She failed to ensure the safety of women in her rule and now attempting to cover up the incident as well as diverting the investigation to shield certain individuals with such misleading movement.”