Vice President Dhankhar Advocates Passion for India's New Criminal Laws

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged judicial officers to embrace the three newly enacted criminal laws with enthusiasm. He described these laws as transformative. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act on July 1.

Dhankhar emphasised that these laws aim to free India from its colonial past. "These laws are not just for subjects, the laws are not from any sovereign power outside. The laws are by us, for us and are to be translated into reality by us," he stated. He encouraged judicial officers to adopt a mission-driven approach and be passionate about implementing these changes.

Revolutionary Changes in Law

Addressing a conference in Jodhpur, Dhankhar highlighted the importance of these new laws. "Be in mission mode, be passionate about it, people need it. Revolutionary changes have come. Your preparations and involvement in gripping these laws will determine the success of this revolutionary step," he said. He pointed out that these laws are justice-oriented rather than punitive.

Dhankhar also mentioned the transition from Dand Vidhan to Nyay Vidhan, stressing that it is not merely a slogan. He noted that during discussions on the new laws, prominent legal experts in the Rajya Sabha, including P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, KTS Tulsi, Abhishek Singhvi, and Vivek Tankha, remained silent.

Controversy and Criticism

The Vice President expressed surprise at P Chidambaram's criticism of the new laws outside the house. Chidambaram, a former home minister and Harvard alumnus, had objected to the laws publicly. Dhankhar found this reaction unexpected given Chidambaram's background and expertise.

Dhankhar also touched upon the abrogation of Article 370, which previously granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He remarked that people cherish democracy because they view liberty as essential to their lives.

The Vice President's remarks underscore the significance of these new laws in shaping India's legal landscape. His call for passion and dedication among judicial officers highlights the critical role they play in implementing these changes effectively.