Minister dismisses objections to communal violence bill

Dismissing objections raised by the Opposition on certain provisions of the Communal Violence Bill, Minorities Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan today said that the proposed legislation was the "need of the hour".
Khan rejected the contention that the bill allows "interference" of Centre into affairs of the states saying that the states will have to declare the competent authority and disturbed areas under the measure in which the Centre has no role to play.
"The objections are just for objections sake. We need a communal violence avoidance bill. There are no two opinions about it.... This is not a new demand," Khan said.

His comments come after BJP said it will "unequivocally" oppose the new Bill when it comes up for discussion and passage in Parliament, terming it a threat to communal harmony and an attack on the federal structure.
"Why should we not have the bill? If we talk about rape, it is a state subject. Then why did you want a central legislation? This (the communal violence bill) is therefore the need of the hour. There may be some difference about the provisions. But I think the draft bill which has been circulated has addressed all the objections which have arisen," Khan said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has already voiced her opposition to the bill on the grounds that several provisions of this amended Bill encroach on state subjects.

The Union minister, however, said the Centre had little role in the proposed scheme of things.
"Except for making a uniform law for the country, which Parliament is competent to do...Other than that there is no interference of Centre in the bill.
"Even the designated authority, it is the same District Magistrate. It is the state which has to declare the competent authority.... Centre has no role to play," he added.
The main opposition has charged that the Congress' move of bringing up the Bill in Parliament when general elections are just a few months away "smacks of communal and polarising politics".

But, Khan asserted, "There was no question of any particular community. We have even removed the word targeted. I don't think there should be any objections," Khan said.
The 'Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill is with the Standing Committee.
Though it is not on the government's agenda in this session, sources said it may be taken up if the panel sends it to the House.