By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: One surprising part of the ongoing cries over and condemnation of the bloody communal violence in Kokrajhar in Assam now and Kosi Kalan, Pratapgarh and Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh a few weeks ago, is the silence of the civil and political society about the much-touted Communal Violence Bill. Even community leaders and organizations in general have not raised demand to convert the long-pending bill into law immediately given the outbreak of communal clashes.
The Prevention of Communal And Targeted Violence (Access To Justice And Reparations) Bill, 2011, drafted by National Advisory Council has not yet been presented in the Parliament. The initial version which was soft on the role of the administration and police was rejected by the civil society and the new draft modified sections holding local officers responsible for the spread of communal violence. However, BJP and other right wing parties have objected to some provisions of the bill.
Maulana Firoz Akhtar Qasmi, Secretary, Markazi Jamiat Ulama has demanded the central government to turn the bill into law to check the communal violence.
“Dozens killed and lakhs displaced in Assam is the evidence of involvement of police and local administration in the acts of rioters,” said Maulana Qasmi and referring to Bareilly riot and other recent riots, he asked: “Which forces are behind these riots in which minorities are being targeted and all these are happening in states whose governments call themselves messiah of minorities?”
“To ensure protection of life and properties of Muslims, stern action against rioters and guilty officers, to check communal forces, to bring to justice the real culprits of riots, and to rehabilitate the riot victims, the bill should be made law as early as possible,” demanded Maulana Qasmi.