Substantial victory for critics, jolt to govt's designs: Oppn

The Opposition hailed the SC order and termed it a relief and substantial victory for critics and a jolt to the government's intentions.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the SC decision "reaffirmed its resolve to protect the rights of minorities, a cause for which the Opposition stood united against the Modi government", even as he maintained that BJP was using the legislation "to inflame communal passions".

AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said, "This is a vindication of our stand that this law is blatantly unconstitutional and designed to target a particular community... This verdict is yet another tight slap on the face of this government that is solely focused on destroying the Constitution. If they had paid heed to the Opposition's advice in Parliament, they would have been spared this embarrassment. They should...repeal the law immediately."


Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh said, "The order is an important one... The intention behind these sections was...to keep the voter base inflamed and create an administrative structure to indulge those seeking to foment religious disputes."

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said SC "has reaffirmed the constitutional safeguards that protect minority rights and struck a balance between reform and representation".

CPI general secretary D Raja, a petitioner in the case, said, "The Supreme Court has raised several pertinent issues that need to be addressed. Unless those issues are addressed and a solution is found, how can legislation be implemented?... Now, it is for the government to respond, and Parliament will have to address the questions raised by the Supreme Court. The government cannot put this legislation into implementation unless the issues raised by the SC are addressed."