In this state, there will be no fine for breaking traffic rules during Diwali

As bizarre as it might sound, the state of Gujarat has declared that there will be no fine for breaking traffic rules, thanks to Diwali. The announcement was made by the Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi. 

Sanghavi has announced that no fine will be levied for traffic rule violations in the state starting from October 21 to 27. However, the announcement just ahead of the elections due by the end of this year has triggered mixed reactions from the Opposition.

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

 

Making the announcement, Sanghavi said, it was another pro-people decision by the Gujarat government and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. But the minister warned that this would not mean the public should not follow traffic rules.

Making the announcement through a video in Gujarati, the minister said, "Don't use the decision to break the law. If someone breaks the rules, the Gujarat police will persuade them not to, by giving flowers."

"Diwali is the festival of lights... and comes with the colours of rangoli, lots of sweets, and the excitement of lamps and crackers," he tweeted.

 

Gujarat drivers for a week 😂 https://t.co/V4xks7gpy0 pic.twitter.com/jV2g4Io8Kk

— K (@Nfpunter) October 21, 2022

 

"On this occasion, this is one more pro-people decision of Bhupendra Patel ji," Mr Sanghavi added.

Meanwhile, Twitter has been filled with hilarious reactions and memes post the announcement with a section of people targeting the Gujarat government for making the announcement just ahead of the election. 

A user wrote, "Stand and watch the traffic at a traffic signal someday," while another wrote, "This decision is unfair. No one will fear the law. As a result, the accident rate will increase."

 

Gujarati riders from tomorrow pic.twitter.com/aznt7JCovz

— Sunderdeep - Volklub (@volklub) October 21, 2022

 

However, a few people also welcomed the move saying that it will encourage people to follow traffic rules voluntarily.