New Delhi, December 04: BJP today attacked the government move to bring a Bill to curb communal violence, contending that it was a “serious encroachment” on the federal structure, but the Centre rejected the charge saying it cannot remain a mute spectator to such incidents.
“It (the move to bring the Communal Violence Prevention Bill) is a serious encroachment on the federal structure of the country,” senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters.
Insisting that law and order was a state subject, he said he had “serious doubts about the legislative competence of Parliament on a subject which deals with law and order”.
But Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said the government cannot remain a mute spectator to communal violence in parts of the country, especially when ruling parties are involved in such incidents.
“We do not have a proper provision in the Indian Penal Code …
–Agencies