Government Assurances Quell Nationwide Truck Drivers' Protest Against Hit-and-Run Law Reforms

Truck drivers across India have called off their protests against the newly proposed hit-and-run law following assurances from the government. The All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) decided to end the strike after a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. AIMTC stated that the government assured them that the new laws, outlined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, have not been enforced and will only be implemented after consulting with AIMTC.

Malkit Singh Bal, the chairman of AIMTC, mentioned that all issues have been resolved during the discussions about the provisions under the new law. The truck drivers' strike, initially sparked by the increased penalties for hit-and-run cases, is expected to conclude soon, and drivers are urged to resume their operations.

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the revised penalties for hit-and-run offenses include a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of ₹7 lakh for truck drivers who flee an accident scene or fail to report the incident to authorities. This marks a significant increase from the previous punishment of 2 years imprisonment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla clarified that the new rule has not been put into effect yet, and any implementation will follow discussions with AIMTC representatives.

The nationwide truck drivers' protest caused disruptions in several states, leading to panic buying and fuel shortages at petrol pumps as people rushed to secure supplies amid uncertainty surrounding the strike.

The political fallout of the protests has seen opposition parties, particularly the Congress, criticizing the government. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of promoting an "extortionist network" and "organized corruption" with the stringent provisions. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed concerns about the lack of dialogue with the affected class and opposition, warning of potential negative consequences for the backbone of the Indian economy – the hard-working class of drivers. Gandhi emphasized the need for a more democratic and consultative approach in enacting laws affecting people's lives.