Moving Towards Freedom from Crime

Efforts will be made to dispense justice through new laws.

Editorial

On 11^th August, the Union Government took a historic step by announcing that it would change the British-era criminal laws. There are going to be radical changes in the law now. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the present-day criminal laws are British in origin, which ensured penalties for various crimes; but now, efforts will be made to dispense justice through new laws.

The proposed changes include provision for capital punishment for mob lynching, sexual assaults on minors, 20-year imprisonment for gang rape besides the repeal of sedition offence, which are equally important, striking and essential for the security of the country.

When women are abused, the accused people are arrested and sometimes even released on bail, so that they are free to abuse women again ! When will this chain break ? Who will break it ? Who will have control over all this ? Women have been looking for answers to many such questions. The Government’s effort to provide relief to women through this change is certainly commendable and gives rise to hope.

So far, women have been cheated and exploited in numerous cases. Needless to specify the section of society which is at the forefront of such acts ! Fanatics have had such a free hand in our country that they are openly going about their agenda. Innocent children and women are victims of their lust. Atrocities against children and women climax with the dreaded ‘Love Jihad’. Although this aspect was well-known, Hindus felt that it had been somewhat ignored by the Government over the years; but, now Hindus think that all this will end somewhere.

The step taken against a major international conspiracy will no doubt prove to be significant. Earlier, some crimes did not fall under the category of rape. Consequently, the element of fear was missing. Now that the above type of crimes will be punishable under law, for the first time these will prove to be a deterrence to the perpetrators.

There is now a hope that the crime rate will reduce due to the fear of punishments such as life imprisonment and death penalty. Terrorism has been defined in the new ‘Nyaya Samhita’ and provisions have been made to confiscate the assets of terrorists. People demand that the Government provide a safe and reassuring environment to them by implementing all the punishments at the earliest.

The Government’s efforts to erase the footprints of British slavery are commendable. How long should we stay under British dominion ? This too should have some limit; the Union Government has now tried to break free of such shackles.

It would have been surprising if the Government was not opposed when it tried to bring about these reforms. By opposing instead of welcoming these, many people showed their hatred for India and love for the British. Why should those who love the British stay in India ? In fact, the earlier they leave India, the better it would be.

Any change starts with the change in name. Once the name changes, the transformation begins. Even though our National language is Hindi, the Government faces opposition when laws are named in Hindi. By harping that Hindi is being forced upon them, some people cry hoarse about the threat to their existence. On the other hand, British-English is promoted and given all attention. This is verily a conspiracy against the Government.

Earlier, Roads, Cities and Districts in our country were named after the Mughals, temples were demolished and mosques were built over them. However, the present-day opponents of law reforms did not object to name-changing and demolition. Have these opponents taken a vow that they will accept the Mughals, the Christians or the British, but will never become true Indians ? It is a pity that Anglicization is widely preferred in India, but the use of Hindi, Marathi, and Indianisation are being opposed !

When women are oppressed, we see candlelight processions everywhere and hear anti-Government slogans; but, when the Government takes a step against such oppression or starts a campaign, there are very few who welcome the actions. For four years the Government has worked on this project with the help of learned, responsible officers and people in important positions; all the pros and cons of these laws have been deliberated upon through 158 meetings. Then how can it be said so early on that the Government’s decision to reform laws is incorrect ? Opponents should give a serious thought to this aspect. How long will they continue to hate India by opposing for the sake of opposition, and in the process, insult Indianness ?

From a ‘developing’ India to a ‘developed’ India

The image of India, which is moving from being a ‘developing’ economy to a ‘developed’ economy, is often tarnished by the criminal underworld. Everyone should take the initiative to eradicate the scourge of crime in our country. Change has begun. Every citizen should participate in this process. It is true that the Government should have taken these steps much earlier; but now, though belatedly, a good decision has been taken. There could be some decisions that are in the interest of the Nation, but for some reason have been ignored. The knowledgeable citizens feel that the Government should pay attention to them too and put India on the path of becoming a trouble-free ‘Hindu Rashtra’. Let’s welcome the change, move with it and create an India free of crime !