Why India’s Transporters are Opposing the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita’s Hit-and-Run Clause
The new law for truck drivers in India is connected to the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 2024. According to the BNS, if a driver causes a serious road accident due to careless driving and runs away without informing the authorities, they can face imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh. This is a big change from the earlier punishment of two years under the IPC.
However, many truck drivers and transport associations are not happy with this new rule. They say it is not fair and too strict. They argue that it might make drivers afraid to help injured victims, make them vulnerable to angry crowds, and lead to unjust punishments. They are asking for the rule to be canceled or for a discussion with the people involved before making such a big change in the law.
The new rule has made life difficult for the protesters, and they are dealing with various problems:
- They are losing their earnings and jobs because they can’t transport goods and passengers.
- Their safety is at risk due to violence and clashes with the police and other groups.
- They might face legal trouble and fines for breaking the law and disturbing public order.
- People and the government are criticizing them for causing inconvenience to the public.
Despite these challenges, the protesters are hopeful that the government will listen to their concerns. They want the new rule to be canceled or changed. They are also looking for support from other transport workers and community groups.
This disagreement has caused problems in the movement of trucks and buses, affecting the supply of fuel, LPG, and other important things. In some places, the protests have become violent, with people throwing stones and clashing with the police. The Ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to stop enforcing the new rule until they can talk with the transport congress in the next meeting. They have also requested the drivers to go back to work.
