Use 2013 to strengthen laws to protect women: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Monday reiterated its demand for a special session of parliament, saying the next year should be used for strengthening all laws related to the safety of women.

"This year (in 2013), all laws related to women should be re-analysed. There should be toughest punishment for crimes against women," Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said here at the Bharatiya Janata Party-organised condolence meet for the gang-rape victim who died Saturday.

Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley also said that legislators should meet as soon as possible to amend anti-rape laws.

"Legislators and parliament should get an opportunity very soon to think on the rape laws. The law should be such that criminals are afraid of committing such a crime," he said.

Jaitley said the judicial process should be such that justice is meted out to the victim within a few days or weeks and police complete the probe quickly.

Moreover, he said, "there is a need to change the attitude of the society towards women".

Sushma Swaraj accused the government of staging a drama instead of taking action. She added that if the government would not call a special session, the Budget session should be used to make stronger laws to protect women.

"Instead of taking any action, they (the government) are only staging a drama. I asked the prime minister to call a special session (of parliament). But my demand was rejected.

"I also asked them to call an all-party meet. That demand was also rejected," she said, adding: "Even if they don't call a special session, the Budget session should be used for amending all laws for protecting women."

The Budget session usually starts in mid-February.

The condolence meet was organised at Delhi BJP's office at Pandit Pant Marg in the national capital. Sushma Swaraj and Jaitley also met the victim's family Monday morning.

The 23-year-old woman, who was raped and brutally beaten December 16, died in a hospital in Singapore early Saturday. Her body was brought to India and cremated on Sunday morning.