Mangalore : HJS holds Press Meet to protest ‘Communal Violence Bill’

Mangalore (Karnataka): Labeling the draft of ‘Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, 2011’ which has been put in the public domain, as anti-Hindu, the activists of Hindu Janajagruthi Samiti said that a nationwide campaign would be launched protesting the enactment of this bill.

Ramananda Gowda, District Convener of the Samiti told media persons here on Saturday that the draft of bill which was prepared by the Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council, with ‘so called social activists’ like Teesta Settlewad, Asgar Ali Engineer aimed to exploit majority Hindus under the pretext of protecting minorities.

He said the draft bill proceeds on a presumption that communal violence is created only by members of the majority community and never by a member of the minority community. “Thus, offences committed by members of the majority community against members of the minority community are punishable. At the same time identical offences committed by minority groups against the majority are not deemed to be offences at all,” he said.

He also pointed out that this bill is not applicable at Jammu and Kashmir where Hindus are minorities.

The bill is structured on the premise that the majority community could never be the victim of communal violence and it believes they would only be the perpetrators, he said.

He said in order to create awareness among the Hindus about the Bill, the Samiti has planned to distribute pamphlets, wall posts and launch a signature campaign in the district.

Mr Gowda said hundreds of angry Hindus are expected to participate in the demonstration being organised by the Samiti to protest the Bill in front of DC Office here on July 5 at 11 am. Series of protests would follow in different parts of the district including Sullia, Puttur and Ujire, he added.

Mr. Anantha Kamath, Treasurer of Samiti, Mr. Lakshmeesha Gabladka, Mr. Ramesh Nayak and others were present at the press meet.