Bengal Assembly Approves Motion Against 3 Criminal Laws With Voice Vote

On Thursday, after a detailed debate for the past two days on the matter West Bengal Assembly passed a motion against 3 criminal laws with a voice vote. Notably, rulling Trinamool Congress had moved the motion.

The new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, with effect from July 1.

However, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari claimed that passing a motion in any state Assembly against a central law cleared by the Parliament holds no meaning as constitution does not provide any such right to state.

According to Adhikari, since the three criminal laws have been implemented nationally, a motion passed against them in the Bengal Assembly will not impact its implementation in any way.

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Drawing attention on cross-border infiltration in West Bengal, Adhikari said state government should bring a law to stop cross-border infiltration and ban forceful religious conversion in Bengal, while participating in the debate.

“If you have the courage, bring these two new laws,” Adhikari said.

Responding to Adhikari, state Law Minister Malay Ghatak said that both the Parliament and the state Assemblies have the power to enact laws.

“The Constitution has given the right to the state Assembly to amend certain Central laws according to the needs of the state,” he said.

Mamata Banerjee wrote to PM Before Bengal Assembly approves motion against 3 laws

It is worth mentioning that on June 20, 11 days before the three new criminal laws came into force, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to postpone their implementation.

Any significant law change, according to the Chief Minister, would need to be carefully planning in order to guarantee efficient administration and enforcement.