I/II. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Trinamool-joins-NDA-non-UPA-states-in-opposing-Communal-Violence-Bill/articleshow/9935076.cms
Trinamool joins NDA, non-UPA states in opposing Communal Violence BillPTI | Sep 10, 2011, 04.15PM IST NEW DELHI: The proposed Communal Violence Bill<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Communal-Violence-Bill> on Saturday ran into trouble with NDA-ruled states and Congress ally Trinamool Congress <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Trinamool-Congress>opposing it as "dangerous" legislation and arguing that it would hurt the federal structure of the country. At a meeting of National Integration Council (NIC) where the issue was on the agenda, NDA and chief ministers of the states ruled by it -- Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Punjab -- expressed opposition to the draft legislation in its current form. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, who also attended the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said the proposed legislation was "dangerous" as it would "encourage communalism" rather than curbing it by furthering the divide between majority and minority communities. Dinesh Trivedi, senior leader of Trinamool Congress, a key constituent of the UPA, said his party also opposes the Bill in the present form. Opposing the Bill, chief minister of BJD-ruled Orissa Naveen Patnaik, said it has some "objectionable" provisions which "directly affect the autonomy of states". Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, whose speech was read out in absentia, said "it is not the opportune moment to comment on the Bill". Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar voiced concern over certain provisions in the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Regulations) Bill 2011, saying it may create "impression" among the people at large that majority community is "always responsible for communal incidents." In a speech read out by senior Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Kumar asked the Centre to hold "thorough discussion" with state governments for making certain amendments that are warranted before introducing it in Parliament. He specifically opposed the provision for promulgation of Article 355 of the Constitution, which gives the Centre a right to intervene, in a limited area during "internal disturbance", saying it amounted to "unnecessary interference in state's jurisdiction". Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said the Bill was intended to meet "vested interests" and may undermine the country's federal structure. "The Bill expresses feeling of mistrust in the state government machinery and lacks clarity in defining crimes for organised communal violence," he said. "I urge the Union Government to have faith in the state governments and strengthen them, which in turn will strengthen the nation. If state governments are weakened to serve some vested interests, the nation will become weak and it will give impetus to parochial forces," Chauhan said. Send Communal Violence Bill draft, then seek views: Mayawati Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati criticised the Centre for seeking views of the state government on the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill without providing a draft of the bill to it. "It is important to tell that the Centre has not sent the proposed communal violence bill to the state government. Hence it is not the opportune moment to comment on the Bill," Mayawati said in a written speech read out at the National Integration Council meeting. She said reports appearing in the media are creating confusion in the minds of the people about the bill. "It will be appropriate if the Centre forwards the draft bill to the state governments and then seek their views on it," she said. Pointing out that the state government had demanded 642 companies of central forces after the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi decision but only 52 companies were provided, she said, "Still communal harmony prevailed in the state due to smart police arrangement in the state". Mayawati said the state government is running a number of schemes for uplift of the minority community in the state by protecting their fundamental rights and taking care of their educational, cultural, economical requirements. "The state has enacted the UP Minority Commission amendment Act 2007 to protect rights of minority community. The state is also helping in modernisation of 'madarasas' enabling them to impart education in modern subjects in addition to religious education". She said a number of schemes are being launched in the state to protect the interests of the marginalised group. II. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/5-chief-ministers-skip-nic-meet-communal-violence-bill-panned/articleshow/9937557.cms 11 SEP, 2011, 01.05AM IST, ET BUREAU 5 chief ministers skip NIC meet; communal violence bill panned The volatile nature of the national politics played out at the National Integration Council<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=National%20Integration%20Council> (NIC) meeting in Delhi on Saturday with five highprofile chief ministers - Narendra Modi, Mayawati, Nitish Kumar, J Jayalalithaa, and UPA ally Mamata Banerjee - boycotting the event. It also puts the spotlight on the authority of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who chaired the meeting, being undermined from both within and outside his ruling coalition. Adding to the UPA discomfort was the widespread opposition to the proposed Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Regulations) Bill 2011 at the meeting. The BJP, JD(U), Akali Dal<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=Akali%20Dal> , CPI-M <http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=CPI-M>, BJD<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=BJD> , RJD <http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=RJD> and even Trinamool Congress<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=Trinamool%20Congress> found serious faults with the draft Bill, prepared by the National Advisory Council<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=National%20Advisory%20Council>. While the BSP didn't spell out its stand, there are clear hints from the Congress by evening that the draft Bill may have to be "significantly altered to make it politically presentable" in Parliament where the UPA needs support from other parties to try and push the Bill through. The NIC is an umbrella body headed by the PM and includes union ministers, CMs, opposition leaders, heads of national commissions, public figures and representatives from business, media and women, among others. While the boycott of Narendra Modi is seen in the context of his raging tussle with the Centre over the Lokayukta issue, Mayawati has a record of ignoring the NIC meeting. Though Nitish Kumar, and Mayawati did send representatives to spell out their views, their absence has taken political undertones. Mamata Banerjee backed up her opposition to the Teesta river water pact by fielding her nominee Dinesh Trivedi to oppose the draft Bill as well. Jayalalithaa refused to send even a nominee, the DMK too showcased its displeasure of the arrests of Kanimozhi and A Raja for their alleged role in the 2G spectrum case by skipping the meet. Kerala explained CM Oommen Chandy's absence was due to his engagements with the Onam-functions and that he had sent his nominee. Senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley said the proposed legislation was "dangerous" as it would "encourage communalism" rather than curbing it by furthering the divide between majority and minority communities. Naveen Patnaik, said he "has some objectionable" provisions which "directly affect the autonomy of states". Mayawati's representative said, "It is not the opportune moment to comment on the Bill." -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. 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