<h5>Why did the protest start?</h5><p>Truck drivers across India protested against a new law under the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a new criminal code that contains harsher punishments for hit-and-run cases. The BNS has replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC).</p><p>Under the new law, if a truck driver leaves the site of an accident without reporting it to authorities, they can face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and/or a fine of Rs. 7 lakh. This new rule also applies to private vehicle owners. The truck drivers said this rule is too harsh and should be relaxed.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/nationwide-protest-by-truck-drivers%2FProtest%202.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=9011d948-ae3a-44d1-8a09-5f80854e3059"><figcaption>Truck drivers protesting. Photo by India Today.</figcaption></figure><h5>What was the old law?</h5><p>Under the previous law, the punishment for hit-and-run cases was lenient. The previous law stated that those involved in such crimes might face up to two years in prison. Also, often, the accused person could get away with bail.</p><p>The government changed it and made this new law to minimise such hit-and-run cases. The government says many people die due to hit-and-run cases in India. In such cases, the victim dies because they don’t get timely help.</p><p>However, in such cases, involved individuals who assist the victims by transporting them to the hospital would be granted some leniency. The police also encourage citizens to report such cases to help save the victims.</p><h5>What was the effect of the protest?</h5><p>The nationwide protest caused panic in many areas. People started panic buying various things, thinking there would be stock shortages due to the protest. Many petrol stations across India also ran out of fuel as customers waited in line to buy fuel, thinking the fuel supply would get disrupted.</p><p>The opposition party also criticised the government for making such a rule that led to a protest. Thankfully, the protest has been called off.</p><h5>Why did the truck drivers call off the protest?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/nationwide-protest-by-truck-drivers%2FProtest%203.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=9a94c771-6b26-4198-a620-8e6745b37605"><figcaption>Parked trucks as truck drivers take part in protests. Photo by Mint.</figcaption></figure><p>The truck drivers called off their protest after the government promised to discuss it with the transport authority representing them before implementing the law against hit-and-run. The government also said the new law has not yet been applied. Any decision to apply the law will be made only after discussions with the transport authority.</p>

The truck drivers protested against a new law.

Nationwide Protest by Truck Drivers

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