Synopsis
On March 20, Amit Malviya criticized Mamata Banerjee's government over a Bill passed in West Bengal that allows women to work in liquor shops, questioning the safety measures for women and highlighting the contradictions in the government's approach to women's safety.Key Takeaways
- Amit Malviya criticizes the new Bill allowing women in bars.
- The Bill removes employment bans for women in ON-category liquor shops.
- Malviya questions the government's commitment to women's safety.
- The move is seen as contradictory to previous safety initiatives.
- Concerns raised over potential exploitation of women in nightlife.
Kolkata, March 20 (NationPress) Amit Malviya, the Chief of BJP's IT Cell and the party's special observer for West Bengal, on Thursday, criticized the state government led by Mamata Banerjee for enacting a Bill during the ongoing second round of the Budget Session of the Assembly, which eliminated provisions in the Bengal Excise Act, 1909 that banned the employment of women in ON-category liquor establishments.
While 'Of' shops are retail outlets for liquor, 'On' shops permit the consumption of liquor on-site.
Although the state government asserted that the new Bill aims to abolish existing discrimination, Malviya contended that the rationale presented by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government is indicative of its inherent dichotomy.
Amit Malviya stated that, on one hand, in the wake of the R.G. Kar rape and murder case, the West Bengal government introduced a program named 'Ratri Sathi' to limit women's ability to work late at night.
He argued that this was an implicit admission of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administration's failure to guarantee women's safety, while the new bill permitting women to serve as barmaids in bars, pubs, and dance clubs under the pretense of promoting equality reflects a dichotomy in the state government's approach.
"What has changed? Has Bengal suddenly become safer? Or is this merely another tactic for TMC thugs to exploit women?" Malviya questioned in a statement shared on his official X account on Thursday.
The BJP leader also raised concerns regarding whether the state government adequately considered crucial aspects before allowing women to work in bars.
"The primary concern is whether the state government and the Chief Minister evaluated if sufficient safety measures were in place for women working in these bars, many of which might lack proper licenses," Malviya stated.
He also inquired whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assessed the potential risks of women being compelled to take night shifts for increased profits, potentially rendering them more susceptible to harassment or if this move was merely a strategy to push women into dubious employment avenues after failing to fulfill her ambitious promise of 'double-double' jobs.
"Most importantly — Can Bengal afford the risk of another Jessica Lal case when Mamata Banerjee has made it abundantly clear that the state now thrives on lawlessness, where crimes against women are not only widespread but also protected?" Malviya challenged the state government in his statement.
