Publicise New Criminal Laws And Dispel Myths Surrounding Them: UGC Asks HEIs

The UGS has also sent flayers to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) underlining myths and truths surrounding the new criminal laws.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed universities and other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country to publicise and spread awareness around criminal laws and dispel ‘myths’ surrounding them, news agency PTI reported. As part of its directive, the UGC has also sent flayers mentioning the myths and truths around criminal laws. In its communication, the UGC has particularly underlined myths like the new laws "threaten" individual freedom and aim to establish a "police state", that sedition provisions have been retained under 'Deshdroh' and that these legislations enable "police torture". 

"The Higher Educational Institutions have been requested to publicise the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 around the themes contained in the flyers and by carrying out campaigns by way of displays through standees, distributing flyers and organizing seminars and talks by lawyers, judges both serving and retired and their respective faculties in their institutions." UGC Secretary Manish Joshi was quoted as saying in the matter. He further added that HEIs have also been asked to send a list of policies and steps taken by them to the Education Ministry for sending them to the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Notably, both houses of the parliament passed the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023 during the winter session earlier, bringing to life the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Following seent from the President, the new laws were enacted replacing the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The myths mentioned by the UGC in its flayers include: The new criminal laws threaten individual freedom, aim to establish a police state; (they) are mere repackaging of existing draconian provisions; the extension of custody from 15 to 90 days in the new criminal laws is a shocking provision enabling police torture; sedition is gone, but appears as 'Deshdroh' in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and harsh punishment in hit-and-run cases under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023".

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