Didi: New Criminal Law Bills are Draconian, Anti-Citizen

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday described the provisions of the new criminal law bills as "very harsh and draconian anti-citizen." She also informed that Trinamul Congress MPs would raise their voices against the new bills' clauses in parliamentary panel discussion.

Flagging her concerns, Ms Banerjee posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Have been reading the drafts prepared by the Union Home Ministry to substitute the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act. Stunned to find that there is a serious attempt to quietly introduce very harsh and draconian anti-citizen provisions in these efforts."

She alleged, "Earlier there was Sedition Law; now, in the name of withdrawing those provisions, they are introducing more severe and arbitrary measures in the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which can affect citizens more gravely. The current Acts should be decolonized not only in form but also in spirit. Urge the jurists and public activists of the country to study these drafts seriously for democratic contributions in the realm of the criminal justice system."

The TMC chief then added, "My colleagues in the Parliament will raise these issues at the Standing Committee when these will be deliberated. Laws need to be improved in light of experiences, but colonial authoritarianism should not be allowed to have backdoor entry at Delhi."

In August, union home minister Amit Shah introduced the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill that will replace the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, and Indian Evidence Act respectively.