New Delhi, April 2 DMK MP P Wilson opposed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, alleging it would benefit "corporate friends" of the ruling party.
Participating in the discussion on the bill, he said, "I am here today not merely to oppose, but to vehemently resist this dangerous, flawed, and reckless piece of legislation."
He said the bill is not a reform or progressive governance.
Instead, Wilson said, "It is a calculated dismantling of deterrence, a systematic dilution of accountability, and a brazen surrender of the rule of law in favor of corporate convenience."
Wilson stated that powerful individuals can violate the law and walk away by simply writing a check.
He alleged that the government has brought a more sweeping and liberal version of the bill to "help corporate friends."
He claimed that the bill is being pushed through the House without consultation with stakeholders, without engagement with states, and without public scrutiny.
"Why is there such a rush to pass this bill? Whom are you trying to protect? The most glaring flaw is the blanket decriminalization of offenses without any rational classification. There is no distinction between minor procedural lapses and serious violations that endanger human life," Wilson said.
He added that everything is being treated as a technical issue and swept under the same umbrella, which is not a reform.
"This is legislative irresponsibility. It ignores the ground reality that not all offenses are equal, and some demand strict deterrence," he said.
Referring to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, Wilson said that previously, manufacturing or selling substandard or harmful cosmetics could lead to a one-year imprisonment.
"Now, it's only a fine. So, let us understand what this means in real life: a company manufactures toxic skin products. Women suffer burns, children develop infections, and the liver, kidney, and brain are affected. Lives are permanently scarred, and what happens to the offender? He pays a penalty," he said.
Wilson alleged that the government has diluted provisions in other laws, such as the Food Safety Standards Act, the Electricity Act 2003, and the Real Estate Act.
Under the Cattle Trespass Act of 1871, he said that damage to farmers' crops caused by stray cattle is now reduced to a fine-only offence, leaving farmers with little real recourse.
He said the bill should not be passed in haste, but rather referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for a comprehensive review.
"Any reform must strengthen, not dilute, the principles of justice, accountability, and public safety," Wilson concluded.
Congress member ShaktiSinh Gohil termed it as a "Jan Vishwasghat" (betrayal of public trust) bill, saying that members were not given adequate time to go through the 340-page-long bill, which reforms 79 laws.
Gohil said that the business of legislation is a very serious matter, referring to the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Upper House.
Gohil pointed out that the 340-page-long bill was not available on the Rajya Sabha portal until Thursday morning, and the Supplementary Business listed the bill for discussion in the Upper House.
"I am calling it Vishwasghaat because it is our right as members to read it before speaking on the Bill. If there are 79 amendments to the laws, the members' rights must be protected, and the government must not bring legislation in haste. I also request the government not to act in haste on the legislative business," the Congress member said.
On the bill, Gohil said that there are many flaws.
The Congress leader said that they are ready to support decriminalizing certain provisions under some old legislation passed by the British government.
However, Gohil said that there are certain amendments in some laws that will "adversely affect" people and cited several provisions.
Through the Jan Vishwas Bill, Gohil said, the provisions for the sale of spurious products under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act have been diluted to a Rs 1 lakh penalty instead of a jail term.
"The Drugs and Cosmetics Act is important for public health. Young sister Renuka Chowdhury, who is sitting in front of me and if she uses any cosmetics and that product is fake or spurious, and her skin is damaged and has an adverse effect on health, there was a provision to send (the manufacturers) to jail," Gohil said in a lighter vein.
Now, with this amendment, the Congress leader said, the government has made a provision of a Rs 1 lakh penalty for manufacturers of fake and spurious cosmetic products and removed jail term.
Ashok Kumar Mittal of AAP said that the bill would weaken the judicial system and promote corrupt practices. He said that the bill should have also decriminalized small offences under the GST law, which is hurting traders.
