BJP walks out of assembly over rejection of motion on women’s safety

BJP MLAs in West Bengal staged a walkout from the state Legislative Assembly on Wednesday after their motion on women’s safety was rejected by Speaker Biman Banerjee. The motion, brought by BJP members including MLA Tapasi Mondal, called for a discussion on the increasing incidents of violence against women in the state. The motion was introduced following several high-profile cases, including the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Speaker Banerjee disallowed the adjournment motion but permitted parts of it to be read aloud in the House. However, during the reading, BJP MLA Tapasi Mondal’s microphone was allegedly turned off before she could finish reading the motion. BJP MLAs immediately raised objections, accusing the Speaker of obstructing their attempt to address a critical issue concerning women’s safety.

Following the incident, BJP chief whip Shankar Ghosh addressed the media, stating that an edited version of the motion was permitted to be read out, and that the party was not allowed to discuss the matter in full. He also criticized the Speaker’s action of disconnecting Mondal’s microphone while she was reading the motion, calling it an attempt to prevent further discussion on the issue of women’s safety.

The motion specifically addressed the rising number of crimes against women, pointing to violent incidents such as the case of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College. The BJP called for a comprehensive debate on the issue, stating that the state government had not taken sufficient steps to address women’s safety.

After the walkout, BJP MLAs gathered outside the Assembly building to continue their protest. They held placards calling for justice for the victims of violence and for stronger measures to protect women. The protest focused on the perceived failure of the state government to address growing concerns over women’s safety and to take action on reported crimes against women.

This incident occurred on the third day of the winter session of the West Bengal Assembly. It follows ongoing tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP, particularly regarding issues such as law and order and women’s safety in the state.