Christian body demands early introduction of communal violence bill

Asking the government to ignore baseless criticisms over the proposed communal violence bill, the All India Christian Council (aicc) last week called for the introduction of the bill in the Parliament without further delay.

The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011, prepared by the National Advisory Council, aicc said was very much needed as existing laws failed to stop violence and render justice to victims.

"The bill is not against any majority community as alleged by BJP, instead it gives a sense and security to minority communities who have been subjected to targeted violence in recent years," John Dayal, secretary general of aicc, said during a press conference on Friday.

Dayal cited the Gujarat riots in 2002 and the Kandhamal violence in 2008 to call attention to the significance of the bill. In the last ten years, he said, there have been more than 6,000 cases.

The Christian leader also pointed that if the bill was implemented, it would not just shield Christians and Muslims but also Hindu minorities in Kashmir and northeast regions.

Dayal said district and state officers must be empowered to act in time to check the spread of hatred by political and anti social elements.

The communal violence bill recently drew sharp criticism from BJP, Trinamool and non-NDA parties who have termed the bill a "dangerous" legislation.

At the NIC meeting, chaired by the prime minister, BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal opposed the draft bill.

BJP's main opposition is that the bill addresses violence caused by a majority community against minority and not vice versa.

They have also criticised the setting up of a National authority for communal harmony, justice and reparation (NAJCHR) consisting of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and five other members.