New Delhi, March 20: BJP leader Najma Heptullah said the government did not seem serious about passing the anti-rape bill after the Rajya Sabha was disrupted over various issues Wednesday.
"The government does not appear serious about the anti-rape bill. It is an issue of great concern and a very important legislation," she told IANS.
"However, we will not let them pass such an important bill in din," she said.
Heptullah said if the upper house of parliament did not function smoothly, the bill could be taken after the break March 22.
"If they cannot put the house to order, they must pass it after the break, but a debate on the bill is must," she said.
The Lok Sabha Tuesday passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, which keeps 18 as the age for consensual sex and makes voyeurism and stalking punishable offences amid concerns by some members on certain provisions of the legislation.
The bill was to be passed by the Rajya Sabha before parliament went for the break. Parliament would reconvene April 22 for the second half of the budget session.
