In a recent statement, Union Minister Shantanu Thakur has sharply criticized the West Bengal government’s proposal to introduce a new law mandating the death penalty for convicted rapists. Thakur, a prominent leader in the BJP, has questioned the timing and motives behind the legislation.
The West Bengal government’s move to implement this stringent legal measure has been framed as a response to rising public concern over sexual violence. However, Thakur contends that the legislation is a political maneuver rather than a genuine attempt to address the issue.
“Why didn’t the state government bring such legislation before?” Thakur asked rhetorically during a press conference. He accused the West Bengal government of introducing the bill to divert attention from other pressing issues and to garner public sympathy. “Now, this bill is being brought to hide the main issue. They are trying to bring this bill to gain sympathy. But all this will not work. We will continue to protest,” Thakur asserted.
The proposed bill has sparked a debate over its potential effectiveness and the motivations behind it. Critics argue that while the death penalty may appear to offer a strong punitive measure, it does not necessarily address the root causes of sexual violence or improve the broader justice system.
As the controversy unfolds, both supporters and detractors of the bill are preparing for a continued public and political discourse on the issue.