Union Minister Posts Picture Of Him Riding Pillion Without Helmet: Internet Wants Cops To Book Him!
If any normal citizen of the country is seen riding a two-wheeler without a helmet, that person is immediately stopped by the traffic police authorities and fined. However, when the same is done by a politician, there are no consequences. This is something that was recently highlighted by a number of netizens when the Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, shared an image on his social media. In this image, he was seen on a scooter behind another politician from Pune, and both of them were not wearing helmets.
Union Minister Not Wearing Helmet
This image of the Union Minister not wearing a helmet while riding on a two-wheeler has been shared on X by himself. In the image, Murlidhar Mohol, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Cooperation, was seen sitting behind the Bharatiya Janata Party Pune Chief, Dheeraj Ghate, on a scooter. It was noted that both politicians were not wearing helmets.
In this post, the Union Minister wished Ghate on the celebration of his birthday. He stated, “Heartiest birthday wishes to our friend and Bharatiya Janata Party Pune City President, Hon. Shri Dheerajji Ghate! Many best wishes for good health and long life!”
Netizens' Reactions
While reacting to the same post, a number of netizens pointed out that both Mohol and Ghate were not wearing helmets while riding a two-wheeler on public roads. However, if any normal citizen is caught doing the same, they are immediately apprehended. They also highlighted that it is especially wrong because politicians should be the first people to follow traffic rules so that they can be implemented in a better way.
As a result of this post and image, a number of netizens even tagged Pune City Police and Pune City Traffic, requesting them to lodge a complaint against Ghate and Mohol. They added that the minister and BJP Pune President should be held accountable for their mistake. Also, they have asked the authorities to issue a proper challan to the Union Minister for not wearing a helmet.
What Charges Can Be Lodged Against the Minister?
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol and Dheeraj Ghate can be charged under the legal provisions of Section 129. It states that any two-wheeler rider and pillion is required to wear a helmet. Also, the minister can be charged under Section 177, which is a general penalty under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Pune: The City of Irony
We appreciate the concerns of the netizens from Pune who have raised their voices against this issue, requesting Pune Traffic Police to investigate this negligence of not wearing a helmet on a two-wheeler. However, on the other hand, it also has to be pointed out that these complaints are very ironic. We say this because just a few months ago, it was reported that numerous two-wheeler riders in Pune carried out a fake funeral for helmets.
Yes, you read that right. For those who may have forgotten, a little while ago, the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) issued a notification regarding the enforcement of the helmet rule. Under this rule, it was mandated that every pillion rider should wear a helmet. This notification was passed on to commissioners and superintendents of police in various districts, including Pune.
As a result of this enforcement, a number of people took to the streets and protested this rule. They stated that helmets are “uncomfortable” and that riders should not be forced to wear them. Sampat Jadhav, President of the Motor Vehicle Driver-Owner Association, stated that “blanket enforcement of helmets cannot be done.” He added that police authorities harass common citizens under the guise of helmet enforcement.