In India Stricter law to check sectarian violence

(October 17, 2008) The central government is planning to re-introduce a bill to prevent communal violence in the wake of increasing communal flare ups in the country. The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, introduced in the Rajya Sabha three years ago, was shelved last year. Home Minister Shivraj Patil will introduce it during the parliament session starting this week seeking parliamentary approval for it. The bill was shelved following opposition from communist parties that were part of the United Progressive Alliance coalition partners then. The bill comes again, when communists are not part of the government. The decision comes in the backdrop of series anti-Christian attacks in Orissa and Karnataka. The present coalition partners want the government take concrete steps, particularly when national elections are nearing. Left parties opposed the proposal saying such law should open more ways for centre to play decisive roles when communal strife occur in the state. But the need for left parties’ agreement no longer exists. Reports say the government would draw up the legislative draft to chalk out a central role. Under its March 2007 decision, the government had decided to dispense with provisions for summary trial and empowering the Centre to establish additional special courts outside a state that has witnessed communal violence. The two provisions were part of the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill that was zealously drafted by the UPA government to prevent communal violence.