Backlash on controversial ordinance forces Rajasthan govt to 'rethink'

JAIPUR: Under fire from all sides over the controversial Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, the state government on Monday evening decided to 'rethink' over the ordinance.

According to reliable sources, chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday evening summoned senior cabinet ministers and state BJP president Ashok Parnami for an urgent meeting in which she directed them to rethink over the ordinance, which was promulgated in early September. The ordinance, which seeks to protect serving and former judges, magistrates and public servants from being investigated with a section from the government, was tabled in the Rajasthan Assembly on Monday morning. That had led to an uproar earlier in the day - both in the house and outside.

The government was left embarrassed as criticism poured in from all sides including a few BJP law- makers for what was termed as a 'black law'. With similarities drawn from the emergency era and severe attacks on the social media, the state government was left with little choice but to reconsider its move.

On Monday evening, the chief minister reportedly also held a meeting with senior bureaucrats, directing them to rework on the ordinance in a way it resolves the grievances of the public and the media. On a back foot, the government now wants the amendments brought in while keeping in mind the public sentiments. It was yet unclear what provisions would be reworked on or whether the ordinance would be completely withdrawn, as demanded by activists and opposition.