While 20 new crimes have been added to the (BNS), 19 provisions existing in the IPC have been removed (file photo)
In its message to universities and higher education institutions, the UGC has also sent out flyers mentioning these myths and truths related to the new criminal laws.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country to publicize the new criminal laws and dispel “myths” surrounding them. Among the “myths” cited by the UGC are that the new laws “threaten” individual liberty and are aimed at establishing a “police state”, that sedition provisions have been retained under ‘sedition’ and that the laws “police Enables “harassment”. In its message to universities and higher education institutions, the UGC has also sent flyers mentioning these myths and truths. UGC Secretary Manish Joshi said, “Higher educational institutions have been requested to publicize the Indian Code of Justice, 2023 around the topics contained in the flyers and conduct campaigns through demonstrations through standees, distributing flyers and by lawyers. Organize seminars and talks. , both serving and retired judges and their respective faculty in their institutions.”
He said higher education institutions have also been asked to share details of activities undertaken with the Education Ministry for sending to the Home Ministry. The Indian Civil Code, 2023, the Indian Civil Defense Code Bill, 2023 and the Indian Civil Code, 2023 were passed by both houses of Parliament during the winter session. After getting consent from President Draupadi Murmu, it was made a law. They will replace the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) respectively. In its flyers the UGC mentions the following “myths”: “The new criminal laws threaten individual freedom, aim to establish a police state;” (They) are merely repackaging of existing stringent provisions; The new criminal laws increasing the period of detention from 15 to 90 days is a shocking provision enabling police torture; Sedition is over, but appears as ‘sedition’ in the Indian Justice Code 2023 and hit-and-run cases are given harsher punishment under the Indian Justice Code 2023. While 20 new offenses have been added to the (BNS), 19 provisions existing in the IPC have been removed. Imprisonment has been increased in 33 offences, fine has been increased in 83, while mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 and ‘community service’ punishment has been introduced in six offences.
Major changes proposed in the new criminal laws include the introduction of the definition of child; inclusion of transgender in the definition of ‘gender’; To include electronic and digital records in the definition of document and to expand the definition of ‘movable’ to include property of every description. New chapters have been introduced on crimes against women and children and ‘impeachable offences’ (attempt, abetment and conspiracy), while begging has been introduced as a form of exploitation leading to trafficking. New crimes like organized crime, terrorist acts, petty organized crime, hit-and-run, mob lynching, hiring of a child to commit crime, sexual exploitation of women by fraud, snatching, incitement outside India, sovereignty, integrity and Publication of false or fake news etc. has been started in India, which endangers unity.
