Truckers’ stir: With ‘Shahenshah’ jibe, Rahul Gandhi targets Modi govt, says new law can have ‘fatal consequences’

बिना प्रभावित वर्ग से चर्चा और बिना विपक्ष से संवाद के कानून बनाने की ज़िद लोकतंत्र की आत्मा पर निरंतर प्रहार है।

जब 150 से अधिक सांसद निलंबित थे, तब संसद में शहंशाह ने भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था की रीढ़, ड्राइवर्स के विरुद्ध एक ऐसा कानून बनाया जिसके परिणाम घातक हो सकते हैं।

सीमित…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2024

The Congress leader went on to say that the insistence on making laws without discussion with the affected class and without dialogue with the opposition is a continuous attack on the soul of democracy.

“Throwing this hard-working class with limited earnings into the harsh legal furnace can badly affect their lives. And also, misuse of this law can lead to ‘recovery mechanisms’ along with organized corruption,” he said, and added that the government which “runs democracy with the whip has forgotten the difference between ’emperor’s orders’ and ‘justice’.”

From expanding detention in police custody from the current 15-day limit to up to 90 days, bringing terror, corruption and organised crime under ordinary legislation for the first time to decriminalising homosexuality and adultery, the Lok Sabha during this Winter Session passed three key Bills –

The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 was among the three key Bills passed by the Parliament this Winter Session besides the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 – to completely overhaul the country’s criminal laws.

President Droupadi Murmu also gave her assent to the three new criminal law Bills.

Under the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

According to a report by ANI, private transport operators have claimed that the law discourages drivers and may lead to unjust punishments. They also claim that the drivers could be subject to mob violence when they attempt to transport the injured to hospitals and demand the repeal of the law, the report added.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of “penalising the poor” while stalling investment in the infrastructure sector.

“Throwing this hard-working class with limited earnings into the harsh legal system can badly affect their lives. And also, misuse of this law can lead to ‘extortionist network’ along with organised corruption,” the former Congress chief said.

Kharge alleged the government has a strategy of creating PR propaganda and delivering nothing. “From BJP’s ‘acche din’ to ‘Amrit kaal’, the road to stalling India’s progress has only imaginary milestones,” he said in a post on X.

“The Modi government’s funding towards infrastructure projects is the lowest in 14 years. Even as BJP wants to unjustly harass and penalise poor truck drivers through stringent laws, its government does not want to invest in new Infra creation, meant for the country’s progress,” Kharge said.