In response to the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita’s amended hit-and-run legislation, truck drivers in India are staging protests. The previous penalty for causing death by negligence under IPC section 304A was 2 years. The updated provision imposes up to 10 years of jail time or a ₹7 lakh fine for not reporting or fleeing an accident. The All India Motor Transport Congress is urging the withdrawal of these pending measures, citing concerns about potential harassment.
States where protests are taking place
Mumbai
On Monday, more than 70% of the approximately 1.20 lakh trucks, tempos, and containers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region chose to stay off the roads. This three-day strike is expected to have repercussions on fuel distribution and could affect the supply of fruits and vegetables in the upcoming days.
West Bengal
In the Hooghly district of West Bengal, hundreds of truck and commercial vehicle drivers blocked National Highway 2 near Dankuni toll plaza on Sunday for around two hours in protest of the new penal penalties for hit-and-run cases, according to police.
Punjab
Many vehicles like trucks and buses did not operate in Punjab on Monday against the new law of hit and run.In Moga, truck drivers started a protest that caused traffic disruptions on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road. .Transporters report additional gatherings at the Shambhu border near Ambala, hindering truck movement.
Other states like Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh , Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh were some other states where the protest took place.
Why is protest taking place
Drivers argue that accidents are often unintended, expressing concern that the new provision instills fear and discourages them. Specifically, truck drivers are asserting their opposition by refusing to transport fruits, vegetables, or fuel until the amendment is withdrawn.
One of the bus driver named Mangesh Patil also said: “This amendment is completely unfair. We also suffer grievous injuries in accidents but there is no one to intervene on our behalf”.
Referring to the increased penalties as a “black law,” truckers declared their refusal to load fuel or transport fruits and vegetables until the amendment is revoked. According to media reports, Anan Sharma, head of the J&K fuel station owners’ organization and the All J&K petrol tankers owners’ association, said : “the oil tanker drivers, for instance, say if they had ₹7 lakh with them, they would have bought their own vehicles and not remained drivers.”
While the central government has not yet initiated discussions with the different stakeholders, state governments are working swiftly to ensure that the strike does not disrupt public services.
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