As a president, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee may not have enough freedom to express his opinion. Particularly, when such opinions hurt the ruling party! So he was always seen participating in the current debates in a suggestive manner. This time too, he has stepped forward to say something regarding the JNU row. As everyone is aware that the sedition laws imposed upon the JNU students were getting controversial, Pranabji thinks that our Penal Code should be thoroughly revised. It’s a facts that IPC which has come into effect from 1862 was almost used as it is!

“The IPC has undergone very few changes in the last 155 years. Very few crimes have been added to the initial list of crimes and declared punishable,” he said at an event in Kochi. Pranab was almost sure that those laws were biased and obsolete- “Even now, there are offences in the code which were enacted by the British to meet their colonial needs. Yet, there are many new offences which have to be properly defined and incorporated in the code,” he said.

The President is of the view that IPC needs thorough revision to meet the changing needs of the society. He wish to see the economic crimes being included in IPC which were otherwise ignored. Pranabji even wants a drastic change in the attitude of police-  “Our police officers must ensure quick redress of the grievances of the common man. They must partner other stake holders in creating a peaceful and secure atmosphere conducive to progress and development,” were his exact words. That’s certainly a long way ahead!