Chakka jam against New hit-and-run law, why is there opposition to the law, what is the demand of drivers, know everything.

The indefinite strike by bus and truck drivers against the new hit-and-run law entered the third day on Monday. During this period, bus and truck drivers in 8 states Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Gujarat were on strike.

New Hit-and-Run Law: Explain that after the amendment in the Indian Justice Code 2023, there is a provision of a fine of up to Rs 7 lakh and imprisonment of up to 10 years on the guilty driver in hit-and-run cases. Buses did not run in other cities including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Whereas in Rajasthan, private vehicles did not run for half a day. In Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur, truck drivers parked vehicles on the road and set tires on fire. Drivers also demonstrated in many districts of the state including Bihar’s capital Patna.

First, know what the rules of the New Hit-and-Run law

A few days ago, Parliament passed the Indian Code of Justice. In this, new Hit-and-Run laws have been made regarding the case of hit-and-run. It has mainly two parts – first, if a driver causes the death of someone due to negligence, then it will not be a culpable homicide. He can be sentenced to up to 5 years. At the same time, if a truck or dumper or vehicle driver runs over a person and flees without informing the authorities, then he can now be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to Rs 7 lakh. However, there is also a provision for some relaxation in the punishment for taking the injured to the hospital.

What were the first laws?

Before the new laws for hit-and-run were enacted, drivers involved in accidents were booked under sections 279 (rash driving), 304A (causing death by negligence) and 338 (endangering life) of the IPC. There was a provision of two years imprisonment. Many times the driver easily got bail. However, now in the new law, if the driver runs over someone and escapes, then a case will be registered against him under Section 104 (2) and 10 years in jail and a fine.

Know what is hit and run?

Hit and run simply means that the driver flees the spot with the vehicle after the accident. If instead of helping someone who is hit by a vehicle, the driver escapes with the vehicle, then such cases are counted as hit and run. According to the old law of hit and run, in such cases, the driver also got bail and there was a provision of a maximum punishment of two years. Many times we see that if the injured person is taken to the hospital on time, then his life is saved.

However, the case of escaping from the spot after an accident is called hit and run. In such a case, a provision for strictness has been made.

Govt should consider New Hit-and-Run law

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has opposed the tightening of the New Hit-and-Run law. The chakka jam and strike have started on the call of the organization. The next meeting of AIMTC will be held on January 10. It will be decided that if the government does not accept their demands, then how to present its side in front of the government.AIMTC president Amrit Madan said that the government’s intention behind the new Hit-and-Run law is good, but there are many loopholes in the proposed law. These need to be reconsidered.

He said that the biggest contributor to the country’s economy is the transport sector and truck drivers. India is currently facing a shortage of drivers, but the government does not pay any attention to it. In such a situation, after the provision of 10 years of punishment, truck drivers are now forced to leave their jobs.

According to the New Hit-and-Run law, nothing will happen to the vehicle owner in case of an accident and all the responsibility will come on the driver. Instead of which the driver will be fined and punished. At the same time, he said that the salary of the driver today is 10 to 25 thousand rupees a month.  In such a situation, at the end of the month, there will be a saving of 5 thousand. In such a situation, where will that driver get 7 lakh rupees from?

We demand the government to withdraw the new law. The earlier rule applies. So that our life can run on the normal track. Otherwise, the movement will be intensified in the coming days.

Well Ahead, Ditch Behind For Drivers

Drivers who oppose the New Run-and-Law law say that if they flee the scene after the accident, they will be jailed for 10 years. If they stop at the spot, a mob will attack and lynch them. There was a well in front and a ditch in the back for the drivers. It is also true that many times the angry mob takes a violent form and the matter takes the form of mob lynching.

Must Read New Criminal Law

Why did the central government add such strict provisions?

Accident statistics show that 50 thousand people die every year in hit-and-run cases in the country. Because of these figures of deaths, strict provisions have been added to the new law, taking strict action on drivers.

Congress opposes the New Hit-and-Run law

Former Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas has termed the New Hit-and-Run Law as anti-people and anti-Constitution. He said the new law violated the fundamental rights of drivers. The Rajasthan government had made legal provisions in the interest of drivers to reduce deaths in road accidents. A reward of Rs 5,000 was given to those who took the injured person to the hospital. The previous Congress government had made such provisions that if a vehicle driver takes an injured person to the hospital, then no action will be taken against that vehicle.

At Last from aAditri Digital: In the face of the ongoing Cakka Jam, the opposition to the New Hit-and-Run law is grounded in the concerns of bus and truck drivers across several states. The law, with its stringent penalties, has ignited a nationwide strike by drivers, organized by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC). While acknowledging the government’s intent behind the legislation, AIMTC emphasizes the economic significance of the transport sector and truck drivers. They argue that the law disproportionately burdens drivers, jeopardizing their livelihoods. AIMTC demands a reconsideration of the law, urging the government to revert to the previous rules to maintain normalcy and avert potential escalations.