'CM's protesting to divert attention': Nirbhaya's mother demands Mamata Banerjee's resignation

Digital Desk: The mother of Nirbhaya Asha Devi, the victim of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, has called for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Devi's demand follows widespread protests against the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The tragedy occurred on August 9, when the young doctor was raped and killed during her duty hours. The horrific incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with doctors and concerned citizens across India participating in protests to demand justice. In response to the public outcry, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a rally earlier this week advocating for the death penalty for the perpetrators.

However, Asha Devi criticized Banerjee for allegedly failing to take decisive action against the culprits and accused her of trying to distract the public with protest rallies. 

Speaking to the news agency PTI, Devi asserted, "Instead of using her authority to take action against the culprits, Mamata Banerjee is trying to mislead the public. She is a woman. She should have taken strict action against the culprits while discharging her responsibility as the head of the state. She should resign because she has failed to handle the situation."

Devi further emphasized that unless both central and state governments commit to swift and effective legal action against rapists, such brutal incidents will persist across the country. "When girls are not safe in Kolkata's medical college and such barbarity is committed against them, then one can understand the state of women's safety in the country," she added.

In response to the ongoing protests, the Central government has issued an order requiring all states to submit law and order reports every two hours. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed state police forces to provide updates via mail, fax, or WhatsApp, starting from 4 pm on August 16. The MHA's notification emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of the law and order situation in the wake of the tragic incident.

This severe measure reflects the urgency and seriousness with which the central government is addressing the issue of women's safety and the broader law and order implications following the gruesome crime in Kolkata.