Govt not serious about Communal Violence Bill: Muslim outfits

Prominent Muslim organisations have criticised the Centre for not showing full willingness for the passage of the bill to prevent communal violence in the recently-concluded Winter session of the Parliament.

The outfits alleged that the government did not show the same seriousness for the Communal Violence Prevention Bill as it did for passage of Lokpal Bill.

"Had the government been serious for the passage of the Communal Violence Bill, it would have taken steps in the same manner as it did for the Lokpal Bill," said Zafrul Islam Khan, President of All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat.

"We are not completely satisfied with the bill as it has been watered-down. But the present form does have some good features such as the local administration being made accountable," he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind alleged that the Congress-led UPA-II did not make serious efforts for the passage of the bill as it was unable to see any political mileage out of it.

"The government was very enthusiastic about the passage of the bill before Assembly polls, but after the results, it has changed its line as it could not see any political gain," Jamaat-e-Islami Hind secretary Mohammed Salim Engineer said.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board member and Trinamool Congress leader Sultan Ahmed said, "Had the government been serious, it would have somehow brought all parties on board."

"It shows that the Centre is not serious for the passage of a strong anti-communal violence bill," Ahmed claimed.

The 'Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill', 2013, was cleared on December 16 by the Union Cabinet after removal of certain provisions, reducing the role of the legislation in handling of riots and making it neutral between communities.

The Government had earlier announced that the bill, which is facing stiff opposition from BJP and some other parties, would be tabled in the Winter session of the Parliament.

However, due to the continuous uproar in both Houses of Parliament, the bill was not tabled.

On December 19, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the bill will be tabled in next session of Parliament.