“I request Opposition leaders to understand that there will be ample opportunities for political engagement, and we are prepared to address your concerns. However, these laws are crucial for justice and citizen dignity, so your cooperation is necessary,” said Shah.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the Opposition on Monday to refrain from politicizing the new criminal laws that came into effect that day and appealed to them for holding dialogue before resorting to protests.

“I request Opposition leaders to understand that there will be ample opportunities for political engagement, and we are prepared to address your concerns. However, these laws are crucial for justice and citizen dignity, so your cooperation is required,” said Shah.

He also stated that his office is always open for dialogue with Opposition leaders. “But I believe it’s not appropriate to take to the streets in protest without first meeting and discussing,” he added.

Shah highlighted that he had solicited suggestions from all MPs, ministers, Supreme Court judges, and High Court judges before passing the bills.

“Contrary to what some Opposition members are stating in the media about lack of consultation, I want to clarify that the bills were extensively discussed for 9 hours in Lok Sabha and 6 hours in Rajya Sabha before being passed,” he explained.

The three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) – were approved by Parliament last December to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act 1872 respectively.