External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday defended the Communal Violence Bill, which is likely to be tabled in the winter session of the Parliament, and said the Bill strengthens communal harmony in the nation.
"We do believe that there is a lot of public expectation with the kind of incidents that have troubled them across the nation. These incidents must be curtailed with all authority," said Khurshid.
He further added, "This bill strengthens communal harmony and unites the nation. In the absence of such a law, we are seeing what kinds of incidents are happening today,"
He emphasized the need for such a law and said people are entitled to compensation without any prejudice, and, that this is the expectation of the public.
"If any party opposes, then they will be opposing the wishes of the people. No one can accept what is happening is correct, and, for this what we think is the best thing to do,"
The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, which was redrafted by National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by Sonia Gandhi, which is facing strong opposition from several parties, will be tabled in the winter session, starting Thursday.
After the recent violence in Muzaffarnagar, Minority Affairs Minister Rahman Khan had shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to bring the Bill in the House at the earliest opportunity. The legislation defines communal and targeted violence and imposes a penalty on public servants for negligence of duty. It also strengthens the rights of the victim in the criminal justice system and envisages a national standard for all affected people.