A proposed piece of legislation in New York City aimed at outlawing horse-drawn carriages has been officially renamed "Romanch’s Law" to honor Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old from India who tragically lost his life last week. The accident occurred in Central Park when Mahajan attempted to rescue his mother after she fell from a buggy while the family was posing for a photograph. Originally known as "Ryder’s Law"—named after a horse that collapsed and died in 2022—the bill is being spearheaded by City Council member Christopher Marte, who is pushing for a total ban on the practice, citing it as an outdated and dangerous industry that prioritizes tourism over human safety.

The Mahajan family has expressed deep anguish over the incident, particularly as the carriage industry signaled plans to resume tours shortly after the fatal accident. In a poignant letter read by Marte during a vigil, the family condemned the move as an insult, urging city officials to take immediate action rather than treating the loss of life as a mere inconvenience. With support from the Central Park Conservancy and various city officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, there is a renewed push to bring the legislation to a full City Council vote. Proponents argue that the recurring accidents serve as a grim reminder that these carriages pose an unacceptable risk to both public safety and animal welfare in one of the world's most crowded urban centers.