“No Fine On Traffic Violations For One Week”: Gujarat Home Minister’s Announcement Invites Criticism

In an unexpected announcement on Friday, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi declared that people will not be fined for a week for violating traffic rules, inviting criticism and trolling on social media platforms. Mr Sanghavi, addressing an event in Surat,  said that the traffic police will not collect fines for violation of rules from October 21-27 due to the festival of Diwali.

“Starting today, 21st October, until 27th October Gujarat Traffic Police will not charge any fine from citizens. If any citizen is caught without a helmet or license or any other violation of traffic rules, then police would advise them during this period,” the Gujarat Home Minister said.

“This does not mean you (the public) should not follow traffic rules, but if you make mistake, you will not be paying a fine for it,” he went on to add.

ભારતીય સંસ્કૃતિનો સૌથી મોટો ઉજાસ ઉત્સવ એટલે દિવાળી. રંગોળીઓના રંગ, મિષ્ટાનોની ભરમાર અને દીવા તેમજ ફટાકડાનો ઉમંગ લઈને આ તહેવાર આવે છે. આ તહેવાર નિમિત્તે મૃદુ અને મક્કમ ગુજરાત સરકારના મુખ્ય મંત્રી શ્રી @Bhupendrapbjp જી નો વધુ એક પ્રજાલક્ષી નિર્ણય pic.twitter.com/V1omwopeWV

— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) October 21, 2022

After the video of this announcement went viral, many on social media criticised the decision, linking it with the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

MLA Jignesh Mewani, taking a swipe at the announcement, wrote: “Elections can make you do many things !”

RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhary, expressing anguish at the decision, also raise questions over the Election Commission.

“What rubbish is this! Endangering lives of motorists for votes!! Is this why EC delayed polls so such ridiculous revdi could be scattered?” Mr Chaudhary wrote on his Twitter handle.

What rubbish is this! Endangering lives of motorists for votes!!

Is this why EC delayed polls so such ridiculous #revdi could be scattered? #RoadSafety https://t.co/pihvKg4FRM

— Jayant Singh (@jayantrld) October 21, 2022

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also slammed the decision.

“In 2021, Gujarat saw 15,200 road traffic accidents in which 7,457 people lost their lives. This ‘revdi’ bonanza by BJP Gujarat govt is putting people’s lives at risk,” Mr Owaisi wrote.

In 2021, Gujarat saw 15,200 road traffic accidents in which 7,457 people lost their lives. This ‘revdi’ bonanza by BJP Gujarat govt is putting people’s lives at risk https://t.co/ExBBiImjPK

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 22, 2022