Shiromani Akali Dal to oppose Communal Violence Bill

CHANDIGARH: The ShiromaniAkaliDal is set to oppose the Communal Violence Bill, which is expected to be introduced in the Parliament when it will meet again after a four week break on April 22. The Bill is being seen as highly objectionable by the ruling party in Punjab, as it empowers the Centre to declare an area in a state as communally disturbed on its own and send Central forces without the state's request.
While the opposition Congress in the state is backing the Bill, terming it as a "positive step" towards maintaining harmony, the SAD leadership is seeing it as "usurping the rights of the state". The Bill provides for transfer of cases outside the state concerned for trial and take steps to protect witnesses. Prepared by the home ministry, it is awaiting nod from the Union cabinet before being tabled in the Parliament.
Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is also SAD patron, has hit out at the proposed Bill calling it another example of the UPA's "policy of excessive centralization of powers". "The successive Congress governments at the Centre have turned the federal structure into a unitary form of government," said Badal at a rally in Moga a few days ago.
The draft bill imposes duties on the Central and the state governments and their officers to exercise their powers in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner to prevent and control targeted violence, including mass violence, against religious or linguistic minorities, SCs and STs.
SAD's alliance partner in the government, BJP, too is opposing the Bill, accusing it to be against the federal spirit of the Constitution. Daljit Singh Cheema, secretary, SAD, speaking to TOI from Goa, on Sunday said, "The state governments are more concerned about the security of people and harmony in the state. This bill would encroach upon the state government's rights and is against the federal structure. We will not support it."
The top brass of SAD, which began its three day brainstorming session in Goa, on Sunday, will also deliberate upon the Bill and its repercussion. "We will debate it among ourselves and work out a strategy for it so that it can be effectively opposed," said Cheema.