Truck drivers in India have been protesting against the newly enforced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), citing concerns over heightened penalties for hit-and-run cases. Approximately 40 to 50 truck drivers convened at the truck parking lot near Shyama Prasad Mukharji Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday, presenting their grievances to the government.
Their demands included a payment of Rs 50 thousand, the installation of cameras in all vehicles, and a plea for protection from physical assault in case of accidents, advocating for legal action against those responsible for any violence.
“We request the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of UP to pay us in accordance to the size of our vehicles, the govt should set up cameras inside the truck cabin, the sides and the back, so that they can monitor our speed as well. And when there is an accident we are ready to help but people shouldn’t beat us up, there should be a case against those that beat us up,” said a truck driver from UP.
Proposing that cameras would allow truck owners to monitor speed adherence, he suggested making them mandatory for smaller vehicles to facilitate justified inquiries into incidents.
Another truck driver from Goa highlighted the common issue of reckless driving and overtaking, leading to unfair blame on truck drivers. “Nobody goes to see which vehicle was overtaking, if a truck is involved they are automatically balmed and beaten up. I request the Goa govt. and the prime minister to look into this, as an accident is not intentional,” he said.
Additionally, he pointed out the mistreatment and condescending behavior towards truck drivers, urging authorities to intervene and bring about a fair resolution to their concerns.
Under the newly enforced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), s changes in penalties for hit-and-run cases have stirred concerns among truck drivers in India. According to the revised provision, drivers causing the death of another through rash and negligent driving, and then leaving the scene without reporting it to authorities, could face imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine of ₹7 lakh.
This represents an increase from the previous Indian Penal Code (IPC), where the maximum punishment for such offenses was limited to a two-year imprisonment. The updated BNS provisions aim to address hit-and-run incidents more rigorously, emphasizing accountability for those involved in accidents.
