Sedition Act should have gone long ago: Kamal Nath

BHOPAL: Chief minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday defended the Congress manifesto promise to scrap the 1870 sedition law if it comes to power.

“The Sedition Act is an archaic law and dates back to British times. It was used against our freedom fighters,” CM Nath said on Wednesday. “There are other laws in the country, like National Security Act. The Sedition Act should have been done away with long time ago,” he added.

After AICC president Rahul Gandhi released the party manifesto ‘Hum Nibhayenge’ on Tuesday, the BJP criticized it as “pro-terrorist and pro-separatist” because it promises to review AFSPA and do away with the sedition law. The Congress manifesto also said that it would permit any amendment of the Constitutional view on Article 370.

“The BJP should stop speaking about sedition and treason. This politics of jugglery will soon come to an end,” CM Nath said. “Today, people want an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the promises he made five years ago. But instead of answering the people on what he has delivered, he is indulging is politics of diverting attention. He speaks of Pakistan, sometimes on nationalism, then national security and claims the country is not secure. “

Nath asked if it was PM Modi who founded the Indian armed forces. “Did Narendra Modi establish the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force? Did he start National Defence Academy? Was this country not secure before Narendra Modi? And today if the country is not secure, then it is so because of Narendra Modi,” the CM said. “Our country’s voters are extremely disillusioned and this diversion tactic of BJP will not succeed,” he remarked.

Asked about the Congress manifesto stand to continue with Article 370, Nath replied, “Our manifesto has addressed both internal and external security issues. About Article 370, the manifesto wanted to address every major issue of present day. Was the situation in Kashmir better five years ago or today?”

Upholding the ‘Hum Nibhayenge’ manifesto, Nath said, “It is a historic document, aimed at giving direction to what this country will be in the 2020s. The NYAY scheme of giving poor families a grant of Rs 72,000 annually is a historic decision that no country has ever done. Congress introduced MNREGA and it stopped migration from rural areas. Now, the party wants to give 150 days of work instead of the previous 100 to the rural poor. With money in the hands of the poor, purchasing power will increase.”