Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
Mangalore, Jul 30: Hindu Janjagrati Samiti staged a protest at Mulky Bus Stand here on Thursday July 28, opposing the proposed Communal Violence Bill by the union government.
Hindu Janjagrati Samiti Dakshina Kannada (DK) district co-ordinator Ramanand Gowda, Udupi district Samiti spokesperson Ravindra Nayak, Mangalore taluk Samiti co-ordinator Ramesh Nayak, Mulky gram panchayat member Sunil Alva, Hindu Jagarana Vedike former convener Satish Bhat, veteran entrepreneur Ravindranath Punaroor, BJP youth morcha activists, ABVP members and hundreds of women activists, leaders of Hindu religious outfits, and community members participated in the protest.
Addressing the protesters, Ravindra Nayak said that the union government has proposed the Bill with the interest of the minority community in mind and to punish the majority of Hindus. “Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of the Draft Committee that has anti-Hindu members including Teesta Setalvad, Mahesh Mondel, and minority community members such as Asgar Ali.
Under the Bill, Hindus are determined as criminals while speaking against the minority community; publishing articles on them will be considered as crimes which will carry an imprisonment of 3 years or a fine. It’s an attempt to stem the freedom of expression of Hindu brethren which was bestowed by the Indian Constitution. If the minority community attacks Hindus, the Bill will not come to their rescue. Besides, one needs government approval to take action against the minority community. Under Section 9 of the said Bill, it is mentioned that the police, government officers and media should come to the rescue of minority community in case of communal violence. Union government is empowered to dissolve a state government in case of an incident of communal violence in that state, under 355 of Indian Constitution by announcing it as internal law and order disturbance. Union government will form a national authority with 7 members for protecting the minority community, and members of the minority community will hold key positions and be the majority in it,” he added.
Ramanand Gowda said that district and states commissions will be formed in each state to award justice and compensation in case of communal violence. “In case of a rape on a woman from minority community, a compensation of Rs 5 lac to Rs 15 lac will be awarded. However, in case of rape on Hindu women, it’s not a crime, instead a mere compensation of Rs 30,000 will be paid as per the Bill,” he added.
“Karnataka has IPC, CRPC and TADA laws that are much effective in curbing any incidences of communal violence; hence there is no need for a separate Bill. It’s an effort by the union government to lure minority community,” added Gowda.
“Hindu Janjagrati Samiti and several Hindu organizations collectively are staging protest in all over the state condemning the union government for taking extra interest in protecting minority community by stemming Hindus. The memorandum has been presented to the state authorities and support all MPs in the state has been sought in opposing the proposed Communal Violence Bill. Protests and signature campaign will be held in various districts of the sate including Raichur, Bijapur, Dharwad, Mangalore, Bangalore, and Udupi in this regard and memorandums will be submitted to Indian President Pratibha Patil,” he added.