The road to hell is almost always paved with noble intentions. I am afraid we shall be headed yet again towards hellish times if a new policy that is being currently debated manages to become law
The road to hell is almost always paved with noble intentions. I am afraid we shall be headed yet again towards hellish times if a new policy that is being currently debated manages to become law. After NREGA, RTI act and Right to education act, National Advisory Council (NAC), has set out to protect and defend the rights of the victims of communal violence. They have given a green signal to Communal Violence Bill ufffd officially labeled as the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill - that seeks to protect minorities from murder, mayhem and communal riots.
Nobody will dispute the fact that the minorities have usually borne the brunt of communal violence, even though provocation often comes from both sides of the divide.
When I read newspaper reports about this proposed law and the objections raised by politicians like Arun Jaitley, my first reaction was that the BJP was probably trying to play the Hindutva card. But I was speechless when I actually went through some provisions and clauses of the Bill.
If the Communal violence bill becomes law, it will be accepted constitutionally that only Hindus cause riots
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If this Draft Bill becomes a law, it will become constitutionally accepted that only Hindus cause riots; and that Muslims, Christians and other minorities can never be held responsible for riots because the definition of the term 'group', which is the backbone of this Draft Bill. It is made in such a manner that the majority, ie the Hindus, will be at the receiving end of the stick. The constitution will accept that only Hindus incite and provoke religious hatred and denigrate other religions; and that Muslims and Christians can never do that.
If this Bill becomes law, all the accused in the Gujarat riots will be culpable and be sentenced, while those responsible for the death of train passengers at Godhra would be presumed to have harboured only goodwill for Hindus.
Moreover, the bill empowers any anonymous complainant to file a police case against a member of the majority community for inciting communal hatred ufffd and the police will have to register it as a non-bailable offence. Also, the definition of 'Hate Propaganda' is designed to give the government draconian powers and curb freedom of speech.
I will sum up by saying that communal harmony cannot be brought about with such discriminatory bills. It can be brought about by providing access to education and equal opportunities for a dignified living. It's time the government thinks about such methods instead of passing such draconian bills or for that matter increasing internal security budgets etc. to fight the menace of naxalism.
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