Church deliberates communal violence bill; want it swiftly enacted

The Christian community Saturday held a national consultation to deliberate on a communal violence bill which it observed must be earliest promulgated into a legislation with certain amends and additions.

Attended by religious heads, lawyers and human rights activists, the consultation in New Delhi endorsed the immediate implementing of the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 in the backdrop of growing religious violence in the society.

The discussion, organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference, National Council of Churches and the Evangelical Fellowship of India, contained eminent speakers like Justice Cyriac Joseph, Shanti Bhushan (former Union Minister and Senior Adv, Supreme Court) and Mohammed Shafi Qureshi (Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities).

Giving the welcome address, secretary general of CBCI, Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, said the rise of fundamentalism was seriously worrying the Church in India and hence the enacting of such a bill can be effective in preventing communal violence and ensuring the welfare of the minorities.

The government draft of the bill which earlier faced serious objections and rebuttals for its inadequacy is now being studied by several organisations hoping to forthwith see the bill in effect for curbing communal tensions.

Struggling with recurring violence on its community, Christians also feel the need for identifying and suggesting certain provisions that can aid it in its time of perplexity.

"The ultimate aim is not mere controlling of communal violence and rehabilitation of the victims but prevention of future occurrences of communal violence," Archbishop Stanislaus wrote in a booklet that contained the draft observations of the Christian community.

"The consultations among Christian groups stress that the thrust of the Bill should shift from control to prevention," he noted. "This prevention can be achieved by promoting communal harmony, and that should be the focus of the draft bill."

He added that the "draft bill must cover all acts of violence targeting any community. A wider consultation has been planned that will include all communities and organisations concerned about the growing monster of communalism."

Justice Cyriac Joseph who addressed the consultation, although refrained from speaking on the bill, extensively lectured on the need for communal harmony and respect of all religions.

"A true religionist never advocates violence. He will rather be the first to promote peace, harmony and respect of all religions," he said, adding, "The Constitution calls all its citizens to be secular in nature."

Senior advocate of India Shanti Bhushan has hailed the draft copy prepared by Christians. He hoped the bill would come into legislation at least by the next parliament session.