BJP attacks Congress on Communal Violence Bill issue

BJP today slammed the government for reviving the Communal Violence Bill, alleging this is being done by Congress for votebank politics and warned this could lead to a civil war-like situation. "Government is trying to bring back the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, 2011. It is actually a Communal targeted vote Bill," BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters.

Describing the move as a "self-goal" by Congress, he said earlier the ruling party had tried to raise the bogey of reservations on the basis of religion during Uttar Pradesh poll. The party has alleged that with assembly polls round the corner in five states, it is now talking about the Communal Violence Bill.  "The Bill can take the situation towards a civil war. You cannot say that all the people from a particular community are rioters", he said. "Congress has tried to tell the people that it is the biggest well-wisher of the minorities. But this move shows the negative and non-sensical mentality of Congress," Naqvi charged.

He said how the government could bring a Bill in Parliament that targets a particular community for any riots that take place. "A riot-monger or a terrorist has no religion. Soon after coming to power, UPA government had removed POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) to prove they are 'terror-friendly'," Naqvi said with a tinge of sarcasm.

He alleged added Congress is now adopting a similar attitude towards riots. "Congress is professionally and traditionally an exploiter of votes. We strongly oppose the Communal Violence Bill. This is an attempt to divide society on communal lines. Those who indulge in such negative politics of 'self secular syndicates' will be wiped out in the upcoming elections," Naqvi said.