Congress MPs Call for Review of New Criminal Laws
On July 1, three new criminal laws came into effect in India. Congress MP Manickam Tagore emphasized the need to relook at these laws, stating they would significantly impact common people. He criticized the manner in which the laws were passed without opposition voices, as over 150 MPs were suspended during the previous session.
Tagore said, “The arrogance of PM Modi and Amit Shah must not put people in trouble. We feel that there should be a debate again and there should be a re-think on the three controversial laws.”
Earlier, Congress MP Manish Tewari also called for a re-examination of the new laws, describing them as “draconian” and “pernicious.” He warned that the laws could lead to a police state due to their ambiguous provisions, especially regarding bail and the definition of terrorism.
Tewari questioned the need to redefine terrorism within general criminal law and criticized the reintroduction of handcuffs, which contradicts Supreme Court rulings. He urged for a detailed examination by a joint parliamentary committee before implementing the laws.
The three new laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. These laws received Parliament’s approval on December 21, 2023, and President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on December 25, 2023.
