Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday promised rigorous action in Parliament and on the streets of Delhi for more stringent anti-rape laws, questioned the CBI’s delay in arresting Sandip Ghosh, the now-removed RG Kar principal, and tore into the BJP over its "hypocrisy" in demanding chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation.
In his first public appearance with his aunt Mamata since the RG Kar tragedy on August 9, the Trinamool Congress national general secretary at the party's student wing foundation day largely helped paint a picture of party unity, amid speculation over his differences with Mamata over the alleged mishandling of the RG Kar tragedy that sent shockwaves across the nation.
The only point they did not make jointly was the demand for Ghosh’s arrest, which multiple sources in the senior leadership said took many even in Trinamool by surprise.
“The case was with Kolkata Police for four days. The case has been with the CBI for 14 days. Those who were demanding Sandip Ghosh’s arrest must demand answers from the CBI,” said the Diamond Harbour MP in his fiery 20-minute address at the Mayo Road event, in Mamata's presence.
The general perception of Mamata wanting to shield Ghosh after the grisly rape and murder of the young doctor on his watch caused considerable damage to the ruling dispensation, according to the Abhishek clique and several other coteries even within Trinamool.
“Answers are for the CBI to give, as to why he hasn’t been arrested in this rape-and-murder case in these 14 days,” Abhishek said.
Mamata attacked the CBI but did not bring up Ghosh.
Abhishek mounted an unrelenting series of blows on the BJP and the saffron ecosystem.
“They (the BJP) engaged in vulture-esque politics.... while everybody else demanded justice and punishment for the culprits, the BJP demanded the chief minister’s resignation. They are still in their delusional trip, chasing their unfulfilled desires, despite losing election after election in Bengal,” he said, throwing his weight firmly behind his aunt.
Bringing up the alleged BJP conspiracy in Sandeshkhali, Abhishek called the BJP “nari-birodhi (anti-women)”, and accused the party of being filled with perpetrators of crimes against women.
“If the Centre can implement demonetisation, the lockdown, or the ordinance to centralise the state’s power in Delhi overnight, why doesn’t it bring proper anti-rape laws?” he asked. “Because if strict anti-rape laws are introduced, countless BJP leaders would be the first to go to jail."
Citing National Crime Records Bureau data from many states with sexual crimes against women, Abhishek jeered at the BJP over its hypocritical silence on chief ministers of states ruled by it or its allies when such crimes take place on their watch.
“According to NCRB data for the past 10 years, crimes against women have been highest in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. When it comes to rapes and molestation, there have been over 41,000 cases in Uttar Pradesh in the past decade; 36,000 in Madhya Pradesh; 28,000 in Rajasthan, and 25,000 in Maharashtra,” said Abhishek.
“The Uttar Pradesh chief minister is a man by the name of Yogi Adityanath. His Madhya Pradesh counterpart, Mohan Lal Yadav. The Rajasthan chief minister is Bhajan Lal Sharma. The Maharashtra chief minister is Eknath Shinde… the Manipur chief minister is N. Biren Singh. First, demand their resignation if you dare, before even beginning to question Mamata Banerjee’s commitment to fighting crimes against women,” he added, to thunderous applause from thousands.
The Diamond Harbour said he would move a private member’s Bill for a stringent anti-rape law, with time-bound investigation and capital punishment, if the Modi-led Centre doesn’t act according to the need of the hour.
“The BJP leaders who are seeking the Bengal chief minister’s resignation through the March to Nabanna should instead march to the Parliament and demand that Narendra Modi bring in (strong) anti-rape laws,” he said.
He said if the kind of legislation Trinamool demands is not passed by the Centre in the next three-four months, his party would launch a mega movement in Delhi, and its MPs, led by him, would escalate the matter inside Parliament.
“If the Centre does not, I will move for this legislation through a private member’s Bill,” said Abhishek, adding they respected the Reclaim the Night movement and those behind it.
