Yesterday, On 13th July, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that a resolution will be passed in the Assembly against NEET and new criminal laws. She emphasized that the Bill was approved without any discussion, as 146 MPs were suspended at the time.
Calcutta: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the state government plans to introduce a resolution in the upcoming Assembly session, opposing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the three new criminal laws that recently came into force on July 1.
These three new laws, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Saksha Act, which replaced the existing Indian Penal Code. Mamata Banerjee expressed concerns about the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, stating,
“It poses a threat to everyone’s freedom, as individuals can become victims of the new law without any evidence.”
The Chief Minister‘s remarks suggest that the state government is concerned about the potential impact of these new laws and the NEET examination on the rights and freedoms of the people of West Bengal. The proposed resolution in the Assembly session likely to be a formal expression of the state government’s opposition to these measures.
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She stated that she had been against the laws “from the beginning.” The Trinamool Congress leader mentioned that the Bill passed while 146 MPs suspended, “without any discussion.”
Notably, in December 2023, the three criminal bills were passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when 146 Opposition MPs suspended.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the newly elected government has the option to review the bills passed by the previous administration within the last six months before the elections.
She said,
“We will once again request them to review the situation, as criminal laws are crucial. Even the police are unaware of which laws are being amended. Lawyers are also in the dark, and so are we,”
She added,
“Passing the bill unilaterally, without any opportunity to understand it, will impact good governance, the judiciary, the legal fraternity, the police, and everyone,”
The Chief Minister expressed her gratitude to the public after the TMC secured victories in all four Assembly bypoll seats on Saturday.
She stated,
“This triumph belongs to the people, and I thank them wholeheartedly. We will celebrate this victory on July 21 in the Lok Sabha,”
She remarked,
“The trend is evident. The mandate does not favor the NDA but rather INDIA,”
Mamata Banerjee previously written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting her “grave concern” regarding certain bills on June 21.
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She noted,
“The Bills were passed in an authoritarian manner during a dark hour for democracy. This issue warrants a review now,”
She added,
“I request your esteemed office to consider deferring the implementation date. There are two main reasons: ethical and practical,”
The state assembly‘s discussion and subsequent voting on this resolution will be a critical moment, as it will not only reflect the state’s position but could also influence other states’ responses to these central policies.
The outcome of this resolution will be closely watched by political analysts, educators, legal experts, and the general public, given its potential impact on the state’s governance and its relationship with the central government.