Jayalalitha Attacks Communal Violence Bill

MNN

Coming down heavily on the draft Prevention of Communal & Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday termed it as a “fascist” and an “undesirable piece” of legislation which could be used by the Centre to destabilise Opposition-ruled State Governments.

Her four-page hard-hitting statement seems to be the beginning of the ‘target Congress’ agenda that, according to reports, was decided a couple of days ago.

At a recent meeting of her party, she is supposed to have decided to go against the ruling Congress. She is reported to have instructed the party MPs to go along with the Opposition parties like BJP and the Communists to target not only the Centre, but also hit out at the Congress leadership and the Prime Minister.

Jayalalithaa, in the Friday statement, opposed the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011 as the leader of AIADMK and as the Chief Minister of the State.

“Though it is sought to be made out that the purpose of the law is entirely altruistic, the objective of the Bill itself is vague and left to the realms of speculation. Even a casual reading of the proposed Bill shows that there is more to it than meets the eye,” she said in her statement

She further said: “While there is no place for vociferous religiosity, all peace-loving and secular citizens of India would agree that there is no room either for communal and targeted violence in a secular, multi-religious, multi-lingual country like India. The proposed Bill will not even remotely achieve the desired objective. On the other hand, this will only promote distrust among various groups and provide the authorities with opportunities to vent their frustration on vulnerable persons or wreak vengeance against any group that is outspoken or critical.”

She contended that the Bill seems to encourage Government officials and police personnel to indulge in “insubordination and mutiny by not obeying the orders of their superiors”. This, she said would lead to total chaos and anarchy leading to breakdown of law and order in the country.

“The Bill appears to be a new ruse to side-step judicial constraints imposed on the indiscriminate use of Article 356 (to impose President’s rule) against Opposition-ruled states by an antagonistic Centre,” she said.

Contending further that the proposed Bill would only result in curtailing the powers of the States and “blatant attempt” to bypass the State Governments, she added: “As per the proposed Bill, the State Government doesn’t even have independent powers of appointing Special Public Prosecutors for prosecuting offences under the Act… If this Bill becomes Law, one could well have a situation where members of political parties in power at the Centre could conspire to create a volatile situation in a State that is governed by an Opposition party.”

“If this Bill becomes law, one could well have a situation where members of political parties in power at the Centre could conspire to create a volatile situation in a State that is governed by an Opposition party.

If the agitaters are put down, the State Government concerned would be pilloried for stifling dissent. On the other hand, if violence erupts, it can be dubbed as Communal and/or Targeted Violence and the State Government concerned can be dismissed using the sweeping and wholly subjective provisions of the law,” she said.

Asserting that this sort of a Catch 22 situation will never be in the interest of a nation on the threshold of being recognised as a World Super Power, Jaya said, “This is nothing but an undemocratic and fascist Bill which is against and totally repugnant to the basic principles of the Constitution.”

Slamming the “Central regime” that is running out of steam but also of ideas for survival, Jaya said. “It is a wholly undesirable piece of legislation that is being introduced with vested interest. It is the sacred duty of all those who believe in democracy to oppose this Bill in toto and take every step to throw this Bill out lock, stock, and barrel at the introduction stage itself.”

Jayalalithaa’s anger is said to be against the Centre for not releasing enough funds to the State, as per her request. In the coming Parliament session, not only will the Opposition find an ally in AIADMK, but it would go all out to target the Congress on all fronts, including 2G and price rise.