Romanch Mahajan, Indian teen killed in horse carriage at Central Park in New York (AP)
NEW DELHI: A proposed New York City bill aimed at phasing out horse-drawn carriages has been renamed in honour of 18-year-old Indian national Romanch Mahajan, who died last week after suffering critical injuries in a horse carriage accident at Central Park.The announcement was made by New York City Council member Christopher Marte during a vigil held at Central Park on Monday to commemorate Mahajan. Marte said the legislation, previously known as “Ryder’s Law”, will now be called “Romanch’s Law” in memory of the teenager. “What happened last week is a stain on our city. Why aren’t we taking action immediately?” Marte asked, as he announced that Ryder’s law will be renamed as Romanch’s Law.”What happened last week is a stain on our city. Why aren’t we taking action immediately?” Marte said at the vigil as he announced the renaming of the bill.At Monday’s vigil, Marte read a letter from the Mahajan family calling for an immediate ban on horse-drawn carriage rides. “The industry responsible for my nephew’s death is preparing to resume passenger tours this Tuesday, treating the loss of Romanch’s life as a temporary inconvenience,” the letter said. “We demand that you use the full power of your office to halt the resumption of these rides immediately. Allowing horse carriages back on the streets while our family is planning a funeral proves that the city values tourism over human life.” The legislation was originally named after Ryder, a 26-year-old carriage horse that collapsed while pulling a carriage in Manhattan in August 2022 and later died. Animal welfare organisations subsequently intensified calls to ban horse-drawn carriage operations in the city. If passed, the bill would gradually phase out the horse-drawn carriage industry by stopping the issuance of new carriage licences and prohibiting the operation of such carriages from June 1, 2028.Mahajan lost his life after falling from a horse-drawn carriage that went out of control in Central Park. According to his family, the horse bolted after becoming frightened when the carriage driver stopped to take a family photograph. As the carriage sped away, Mahajan’s mother, Priya Mahajan, fell from the vehicle. Romanch jumped off in an attempt to help her but suffered fatal injuries.
