Govt trying to bring in ‘black law’, says Tiwari

Jaipur: The state government was left embarrassed with senior MLAs like Narpat Singh Rajvi and Ghanshyam Tiwari voicing their objection to the controversial Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill, which was tabled in the House on Monday.

Upset over not being allowed to speak over the ordinance in the House, Sanganer MLA Tiwari, while interacting with the media, said, the state government was attempting to bring in a 'black law'. "Not only does the ordinance aim to shield those corrupt and impose censorship on the media, but it is also unconstitutional," he said.

Tiwari claimed he wanted to speak in the House to stop his government for making a grave error. According to the senior legislator, as per the rules of the House, the ordinance draft, tabled in the House, should have been in Hindi. Along with that, an authorised English translation should have been presented.

"However, the government's original draft is in English. It has been presented without the mandatory sanction from the President, required for an amendment in a Central law. The government has also failed to officially attach the reasons behind the need to promulgate this ordinance," he said.

Tiwari also added that two ordinances related to the same law cannot be tabled together, despite which, government has tabled two ordinances related to Criminal Procedure Code (CrCP). "Had I been allowed to speak, the ordinance could not have been tabled," he added.

Critical of the government move, Tiwari said that the 'black law is nothing less than an emergency.' Tiwai, who had staged a walk out twice protesting the ordinance, vowed to oppose it both in the House and outside.

Another senior MLA of the ruling party Narpat Singh Rajvi also said that the six month provision for prosecution sanction against an accused, is unjustified. "It is almost like granting immunity. An accused should not be given six hours, forget six months. There should never be any delay in fixing accountability. To ensure that innocent public servants are not targeted, the defamation law should be strengthened," said Rajvi, who represents Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency. He said that he would raise the issue at the party's platform.

Both Rajvi and Tiwari are known to be critical of their government and chief minister Vasundhara Raje. However, the government might not be expecting their support, them voicing their objections is further adding to BJP's embarrassment. The Opposition too has taken to streets against the soon-to-be law. However, with the ruling party comfortable with a clear majority in the House with 160 seats of the total 200, it is unlikely to face trouble getting it cleared.

Talking to the media after the house was adjourned for the day, state BJP president said that it was wrong to term the ordinance 'black'. "Rather than a blind protest, it would be better if the opposition understands the provisions and debates over them in the House. The government has zero-tolerance towards corruption and works in functioning transparently. The ordinance has not been promulgated to shield anybody," he said.

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CM calls for united front

BJP's legislative council meeting was held at the assembly on Monday. Addressing the party MLAs, CM Vasundhara Raje directed them to maintain a united front against the Opposition and to counter the attacks and accusations from the Opposition benches. She also directed them to get into the election mode and work for the party, which is facing by-elections on two Lok Sabha seats along with one assembly.