Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami has strongly condemned the BJP-led Union Government for renaming the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and The Indian Evidence Act with titles that blend Sanskrit and Hindi. Palaniswami labeled this move as an “open attempt of Hindi imposition” and an attack on the Constitutional values and fundamental justice of the nation, deeming it unacceptable.
The implementation of three new criminal laws—the Bharatiya Nagarik Surakha Sanhita 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023—came into effect from today, replacing the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act, respectively.
Joining other political forces in opposing the BJP government’s decision, Palaniswami criticized the replacement of criminal law titles from English, a common language for non-Hindi speaking states, to Hindi. He argued that this move was a blatant attempt to impose Hindi on the nation. “It is against our nation, which is a collective of various cultures, fundamental justice, and the Constitutional values,” said the AIADMK leader.
Palaniswami highlighted that certain changes in the provisions of the new laws have attracted criticism. He demanded that the Centre take corrective measures to address the flaws in these new laws and revert to the English titles instead of the Sanskrit mixed Hindi titles.
The renaming of these significant legal codes has sparked a heated debate, with Palaniswami’s condemnation adding to the growing opposition against what is perceived as an imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.
