India, June 28 -- The decision of the BJP government in West Bengal to introduce two stringent bills - which dramatically expand the definition of "anti-social activity," allow preventive detention for up to 12 months without trial, and permit the auctioning of an offender's property to compensate for losses - aligns with the new administration's tough stance on law and order. But the government should take care that its approach doesn't shortchange the criminal justice system or due process. This newspaper reported last week that the bills - modelled on similar laws in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra - seek to criminalise a gamut of behaviour that includes violent public protests. It comes after the BJP vowed to improv...