Hindu Janajagruthi Samithi to launch protest against draft anti communal violence bill

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 2: The activists of the Hindu Janajagruthi Samithi condemned the draft of the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill 2011 as anti Hindu and said that a nationwide campaign will be launched in protest against this bill.

Samithi District Convener Ramananda Gowda told reporters on Saturday that the bill, the draft of which was prepared by the National Advisory Council headed by Sonia Gandhi and comprising social activists such as Asgar Ali Engineer and Teesta Settlewad aimed at exploiting the majority Hindus under the guise of protecting minorities. 

He said that the bill has been drafted under the assumption that communal violence is created only by members of majority communities and never by members of minority communities. Accordingly, offences committed by members of majority communities against members of minority communities are punishable, but the same offences committed by minority communities against majority communities are not considered to be offences at all, he said. 

He also pointed out that this bill does not apply to Jammu and Kashmir, where Hindus are minorities. The structure of the bill is based on the premise that majority communities can never become victims of communal violence and that they would only perpetrate it. 

He said that the Samithi will distribute pamphlets to create awareness against the bill and will launch a signature campaign in DK district. 

Mr. Gowda said that hundreds of furious Hindus will participate in a demonstration, which will be organized by the Samithi, to protest against the bill in front of the DC’s office on July 5 at 11:00 a.m. A number of protest meetings will also be held in different parts of DK such as Sullia, Ujire, and Puttur, he said.

Treasurer Ananatha Kamath, Ramesh Nayak, and Lakshmeesha Gabladka were also present.