Centre Warns Orissa, Karnataka over Attack on Christians
Times of India
NEW DELHI, Sep 19: Centre on Thursday issued a warning to NDA-controlled governments of Orissa and Karnataka under Article 355 to rein in violence against Christians, in an action which will be praised as appropriate in many quarters but will sharpen the UPA vs NDA faultlines.
While BJP condemned the action as ''partisan'', Congress welcomed it with glee.
Article 355 vests emergency powers in the Centre to ensure adherence to the Constitution and it can even be seen as a precursor to the application of Article 356 (President's rule). But in the current context, it also serves the political purpose.
Importantly, with the government acting against the Opposition governments over violence against minorities by RSS affiliates, it could clear the way for a tougher response against terrorism.
There has been a strong voice in Congress and UPA that fight against terror should go hand in hand with tough action against communal violence. The anti-Christian riots have spread fast from Orissa to Karnataka and even in Kerala, in what is seen as part of a campaign.
The argument was also articulated by minority affairs minister A R Antulay at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting where he said the Centre should bring in a tough law on communal riots.
For the Centre, buffeted between demands for tough laws against terror and the sensitivities that there should be safeguards to ensure that they are not misused against minorities, it could be part of the Manmohan Singh government unveiling an all-round action plan against violence.
Congress welcomed the action, with party spokesman Veerappa Moily saying that it was ''a shame on BJP''. He said, ''Those who are talking of fighting terrorism are not in a position to contain communal terrorism.''
But the BJP reacted strongly. Party general secretary Arun Jaitley said, ''The action is unwarranted. Orissa has taken steps and succeeded in restoring peace. Karnataka government is trying its best by appealing to one section not to bring out inflammatory pamphlets on conversions and taking steps to convince the other sections not to attack prayer halls. The Centre's action makes it obvious that it is not interested in resolving the issue but in politicising it. Why does not the Centre consider similar action in case of Maharashtra government with regard to its inability to deal with Raj Thackeray's repeated provocations.''