INDIA: COMMUNAL VIOLENCE BILL
Published in B&E 28/06/07
Uncaring to the core
Government effort to tackle communalism lacks credibility
The vacillating Indian political class has once again proved its incompetence to stem the growing tide of communal frenzy in the nation. The UPA government-sponsored Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 is a half baked, hurriedly drafted bill and is drawing flak from all quarters. Calling the bill a “dangerous piece of legislation”, eminent jurists, civil society activists, academics & legal experts have urged the government to begin the process of drafting the bill afresh. In a joint statement issued at the end of recently concluded “National Consultation” on the subject, the luminaries pointed out that the proposed draft will “strengthen the shield of protection enjoyed by the political leaders for their acts of omission and commission in these crimes. It is a Bill, which conceives of communal violence as nothing but a ‘one time’ event, rather than as a long-term politically motivated process and seeks to prevent it only by giving greater powers to state governments”. The major bone of contention in the proposed bill is section 55, which will grant the Centre a right to deploy central paramilitary forces and the army to ‘communally disturbed areas’.The government needs to realise that the need of the hour is that our laws begin to cater to domestic as well as international demands. The International Criminal Court or ICCt (India is not a member) is empowered to deal directly against the individuals found guilty of the crimes against humanity. If our government fails to devise adequate legislation to punish the guilty indulging in sectarian violence, sooner or later the ICCt will pose a challenge to our sovereignty. That would be a moment of acute and shameful embarrassment for our nation.
The vacillating Indian political class has once again proved its incompetence to stem the growing tide of communal frenzy in the nation. The UPA government-sponsored Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 is a half baked, hurriedly drafted bill and is drawing flak from all quarters. Calling the bill a “dangerous piece of legislation”, eminent jurists, civil society activists, academics & legal experts have urged the government to begin the process of drafting the bill afresh. In a joint statement issued at the end of recently concluded “National Consultation” on the subject, the luminaries pointed out that the proposed draft will “strengthen the shield of protection enjoyed by the political leaders for their acts of omission and commission in these crimes. It is a Bill, which conceives of communal violence as nothing but a ‘one time’ event, rather than as a long-term politically motivated process and seeks to prevent it only by giving greater powers to state governments”. The major bone of contention in the proposed bill is section 55, which will grant the Centre a right to deploy central paramilitary forces and the army to ‘communally disturbed areas’.The government needs to realise that the need of the hour is that our laws begin to cater to domestic as well as international demands. The International Criminal Court or ICCt (India is not a member) is empowered to deal directly against the individuals found guilty of the crimes against humanity. If our government fails to devise adequate legislation to punish the guilty indulging in sectarian violence, sooner or later the ICCt will pose a challenge to our sovereignty. That would be a moment of acute and shameful embarrassment for our nation.
1 comment:
Have you ever been on your way out the door when you catch a glimpse of your reflection and have the feeling that something is off? Even though your clothes look put together and you like your hair or makeup, something else is necessary.
http://www.techviewmedia.com |
http://www.collegenowtechprep.com |
http://www.thetechnologydiet.com |
http://www.titlelxtech.com |
http://www.agontechnologies.com |
Post a Comment