Seriousness not appreciated: Mamata writes to PM Modi again, accuses Centre of not acknowledging her concerns on rape crimes

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday released a letter she addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Central Government of not taking her request on strict punishments for men who rape and murder women seriously.

In the letter dated August 29 (Thursday), Mamata said that while the Ministry of Women and Child Development did send her a response, it was not adequate. She also wrote to the Prime Minister stating that he had not directly replied to her letter.

"No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue. However, a reply has been received from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, which barely attends the gravity of the issue raised in my letter. I am of the thought that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to the society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply," Mamata stated in her letter.


Mamata also used this opportunity to give the list of steps taken in the state of West Bengal to ensure safety for women. Annapurna Devi, the Union Minister for women and child development ministry had advised the TMC supremo of ensuring safety of women in the state first.

The West Bengal CM further claimed that Union Minister Annapurna in her reply overlooked the initiatives taken by the state to curb crimes centered around women.

"I would also refer to some of the initiative in the area that our state has already taken which appears to have been overlooked by her," Mamata said.


Moreover, Mamata urged Prime Minister Modi to consider stringent Central legislation and punishment on crimes related to rapes and violence against women.

"I would reiterate and earnestly request to kindly consider a stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment for henious crimes of rape and murder with mandatory provision for disposal of cases in a specific times-frame by trial authorities," the letter read further.

On August 22, Mamata had written her first letter to Prime Minister Modi, with the suggestion to create fast-track special courts for speedy trials and quick justice for victims of rape.

The letter had highlighted the 'bounden duty' of lawmakers to collectively fight to put an end to rape and the subsequent murder of victims, in many cases.

Mamata sent her first letter to PM Modi just weeks after a doctor was found murdered in the RG Kar College and Hospital in Kolkata. The postmortem confirmed that the doctor had been raped before she was killed. There has been widespread criticism over the incident, with nationwide protests led predominantly by various medical bodies and women.

The BJP, which is in the Opposition in West bengal, has demanded that Mamata Banerjee resign from the position of Chief Minister amidst the uproar.