By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, last night approved the re-drafted Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of victims) Bill for introduction in the ongoing session of the Parliament.
The decision has been taken a week after the government tabled the Action Taken Report on the Liberhan Commission report on the Babri Masjid demolition. In the ATR the government had promised to bring this bill expeditiously. The bill has been cleared by the Cabinet two days before the 17th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition which was followed by communal riots in several states in the country killing hundreds.
The Bill when enacted will enable the Centre to declare an area in a state as communally disturbed on its own and send Central security forces without the state’s request. This was based on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Committee. Besides, the Bill will empower the Centre for transfer of cases outside the state of violence.
The proposals have not got support from Bharatiya Janata Party saying the law would encroach upon the states’ domain.
BJP government of Gujarat was mute spectator when thousands were being butchered on the streets in the state in 2002 after Godhra train fire. The Central government, then also run by the same party, could do little to protect innocent lives.