BJP MLA Slams Pune Police For Enforcing Compulsory Helmet Rule

While protesting, BJP MLA Vijay Kale said that he hasn’t worn a helmet in 21 years, a report said.

The Pune Police will implement the compulsory helmet rule in January 2019. (Image used for representation only)

(Photo: The Quint)

BJP MLA Vijay Kale isn’t too happy about Pune Police enforcing the compulsory helmet rule from January 2019.

While addressing a gathering organised by a group agitating against helmets being made compulsory, Kale said that he hasn’t worn a helmet in 21 years and claimed that he has never been involved in an accident either, the Pune Mirror reported.

“I have ridden a two-wheeler sans helmet for over two decades and not experienced even one accident. The main reason for accidents in the city is the bad condition of its roads... full of potholes. Why don’t you concentrate on that first?” 

BJP MLA Vijay Kale, as reported by <i>Pune Mirror </i>

The MLA reportedly called for the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) "who really understands traffic", even as he slammed the police for lack of planning the implementation of the rule.

The event organised by Helmet Virodhi Kruti Samiti had invited all MLAs from Pune and other participants to discuss the issue. The Pune Mirror reported that while no other MLAs turned up for the event, Kale, who has protested against the issue in the past as well, attended the event.

“No one can challenge us Punekars. If we decide to break a rule, how many people will they catch and fine? They can’t even take action based on footage from closed-circuit television traffic once the cameras were up. How many offenders did they end up catching using this system?”

BJP MLA Vijay Kale as reported by <i>Pune Mirror </i>

Apart from the police, Kale also lashed out at the regional transport office (RTO) that has reportedly "promised to provide staff to implement the rule.” The BJP MLA asked the RTO to “provide licences properly first" before taking up new issues.

Speaking to Pune Mirror, Commissioner of Police K Venkatesham said the police will follow Supreme Court guidelines as far as the rules are concerned, but if Kale has any good suggestions to make, they will take them into consideration.