No need for Communal Violence Bill, says RSS

GORAKHPUR: Questioning the locus stand of Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council in drafting the proposed Communal Violence Bill, the RSS on Saturday said the law seeks to divide the society into majority and minority.

"The Communal Violence Bill, which the UPA government proposes to bring in Parliament, seeks to divide the society into majority and minority.

"Moreover, its provisions are against the majority community and will hold it responsible for any communal riot that takes place," RSS head of Pracharaks, Manmohan Vaidya, told PTI.

Vaidya also questioned the authority of NAC and sought to know how it can formulate such laws. The draft of the Communal Violence Bill was prepared by the NAC.

He said like some earlier "draconian" laws, the Communal Violence Bill also holds a person guilty till he proves he is innocent.

"The onus of proving that a person caught under this law is not guilty lies with the accused," Vaidya said.

The RSS is opposed to other provisions too where even the "intentions" of causing communal disturbance can lead a person or group in trouble.

"An attempt is being made to form a new code of law. The present laws are well-equipped to deal with the issue. There is no need for a Communal Violence Bill," Vaidya said.

The Centre will have several powers to intervene in case of a communal riot as per the proposed legislation. This is seen as an attempt to over-ride a state government which is found acting in a "biased" manner or not taking appropriate action when such an incident takes place, he said.