Rahul Gandhi slams Centre over truck drivers strike, says new hit-and-run law has 'fatal consequences'

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Central government for the newly enacted law Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run cases, saying it is against the drivers who are the backbone of the Indian economy, which could have fatal consequences.

Rahul remarks came after the three-day strike by truck, bus and tanker drivers started across the country, to protest against the stringent jail and fine regulations under the newly enacted law Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run cases.

The revised Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has raised the penalty for hit and run offences for up to ten years or fine of Rs 7 lakh.

In a social media post X , Rahul Gandhi said, "The insistence on making laws without discussion with the affected class and without dialogue with the opposition is a continuous attack on the soul of democracy".

The former Congress President also slammed that, "throwing this hard-working class with limited earnings into the harsh legal cases can badly affect their lives".

The government that runs democracy with the whip has forgotten the difference between 'emperor's orders' and 'justice', the Wayanad Lok Sabha MP said.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla will hold a meeting of the All India Transport Congress in New Delhi this evening.

Since Monday, Truck and bus drivers have gone on strike in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal and several other states. This has led to a shortage of fuel in several cities and scores of passengers have been affected due to the strike. (UNI)