NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country to publicise the new criminal laws and dispel “myths” surrounding them.Among the “myths” cited by the UGC are that 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”.In its communication to the universities and HEIs, the UGC has also sent flayers mentioning these myths and truths.UGC Secretary Manish Joshi said, “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.” The HEIs have also been asked to share the details of the activities undertaken to the Ministry of Education for sending them to Home Ministry, he added.The Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 were passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Winter Session.They were enacted into law after they got assent from President Droupadi Murmu.They will respectively replace Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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