An unfortunate spin-off from pandemic has been the suspension of basic labour laws in many BJP ruled states like UP, MP, Gujarat. The other day one of my friends posted an item saying that the labour laws being useless, continuing since the Nehruvian era, laws with the socialistic approach, won’t serve any purpose, therefore the idea of suspension of labour laws will be the greatest virtue. But I am afraid, the suspension of labour laws and freehand given to Industries May lead to a wave of easy closures, and retrenchments, which will only worsen the unemployment situation in the country. It is true the labour laws need to be streamlined but is it the right time when millions of migrant labourers are out of jobs, and heading back to their home states? By diluting labour laws that guarantee some measure of protection against exploitation, we could be adding to their misery. But the justification being given is that they are coming in the way of economic revival.and as I understand, the economic revival is dependent on many factors such as right stimulus, tax breaks, and the support from concerned state governments, etc. I agree they were written in a different century, I feel, it rings true even today’s climate. Not Only is the brunt of the lockdown being borne by labour population but also their right to a dignified life is being threatened by these so-called unjust exemptions. Indiscriminate profiteering by capitalists at the expense of marginalised is nothing new for us, but coming in this situation marks a new low.
Instead of suspension of labour laws, I would have appreciated the government’s if they suspend the sedition law, which is being used and misused and abused by the government, at their will to suppress the common democratic right of criticism. Sedition means inciting people to rebel against the state. In the Indian democratic system, governments have always been criticised by political opponents and media. This was never interpreted as a rebellion against the state, previously, say about 10 years ago. British bureaucratic legalese is the hallmark of Sedition law that we are still following. Strangely many of our present-day elected leaders seem to believe that once elected they are above the checks and balances of democracy. The Govt Of Gujarat is the best example, wherein Mr. Patel a journalist was booked for sedition when he uploaded a report on CM which was very routine saying that there were problems between CM and BJP HighCommand.and such type of reports appear about many leaderships in many states. If the report is wrong, the CM and HighCommand could have denied or disowned it and the media would have published it. But the Government ensured that that CID filed an FIR against Patel under the sedition Act. On the other hand, police chief twisted the matter to say that because of Coronavirus he had been detained, not arrested but sent to the hospital for COVID treatment. Therefore thrusting this Act to prevent legitimate give and take in a democracy, is a very cheap trick. Parliamentary criticism of a government or minister is the essence of democracy. To say that such criticism is Sedition amounting to rebellion against the state, is it fair? It’s nonsense.
So instead of muzzling labour laws, if the center is having a will, the draconian Sedition Law should be amended forthwith.
Instead of suspension of labour laws, I would have appreciated the government’s if they suspend the sedition law, which is being used and misused and abused by the government, at their will to suppress the common democratic right of criticism. Sedition means inciting people to rebel against the state. In the Indian democratic system, governments have always been criticised by political opponents and media. This was never interpreted as a rebellion against the state, previously, say about 10 years ago. British bureaucratic legalese is the hallmark of Sedition law that we are still following. Strangely many of our present-day elected leaders seem to believe that once elected they are above the checks and balances of democracy. The Govt Of Gujarat is the best example, wherein Mr. Patel a journalist was booked for sedition when he uploaded a report on CM which was very routine saying that there were problems between CM and BJP HighCommand.and such type of reports appear about many leaderships in many states. If the report is wrong, the CM and HighCommand could have denied or disowned it and the media would have published it. But the Government ensured that that CID filed an FIR against Patel under the sedition Act. On the other hand, police chief twisted the matter to say that because of Coronavirus he had been detained, not arrested but sent to the hospital for COVID treatment. Therefore thrusting this Act to prevent legitimate give and take in a democracy, is a very cheap trick. Parliamentary criticism of a government or minister is the essence of democracy. To say that such criticism is Sedition amounting to rebellion against the state, is it fair? It’s nonsense.
So instead of muzzling labour laws, if the center is having a will, the draconian Sedition Law should be amended forthwith.
