Question

A group of people damaged several public properties like city buses, roads, etc to make government fulfill their demands. Is this the right way of expressing your demands? What can be the repercussions of such acts?

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Define Public utility services.
• Explain the repercussions for damaging any public property
• Provide alternative ways one can opt to fulfill one’s demands.

Solution:

• In democratic countries like India, the government provides some basic facilities to the public known as public utility services for our welfare and comfort. For example- schools, hospitals, transportation, roads, etc.
• As citizens it is our prime duty to make proper use and take care of such public properties.
• However, some people might adopt violent means to see their demands fulfilled. So they start damaging public properties by burning buses, throwing stones at public buildings, etc
• The destruction of any public utility services under any circumstances is a legal crime in India.
• As per the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, anyone “who commits mischief by doing any act in respect of any public property” will get punished with a jail term of up to five years and a fine or both.

Inspite of such violent actions, people can peacefully protest to show their resentment against the government or to raise their demands by conducting peaceful rallies, public assemblies, public speeches, nukkad nataks, etc.