Seeing fury of agitation, Rajya Sabha to take up Juvenile Bill today

Under pressure amid growing public protests that sparked off over the release of Delhi gang rape convict, political parties on Monday agreed to take up the Juvenile Justice Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the law to try those aged over 16 and accused of heinous crimes as adults.

After the apex court rejected the petition seeking stay on the release of the convict, who was a few months short of 18 when he and five others attacked the victim in a moving bus, her mother Asha Devi said, "What kind of crime will make them amend the law?"

Derek O' Brien of the Trinamool Congress asked the government to pay heed to the public sentiment and discuss the Bill on an express basis.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress said the party would support the Bill in the Upper House if brought on Tuesday.

Both parties had earlier favoured sending the Bill to a parliamentary committee for further scrutiny, but the fury of protests changed their mind.

The government pointed out that the Bill was listed on three days in the ongoing winter session. "The government is ready to bring it today, but the Congress is not allowing the House to function," said union minister Prakash Javadekar.

Replying angrily, Azad said, "It is brazen mischief by the government to defame the Opposition and divert attention from the (Arun) Jaitley issue." He also criticised the government for bringing it through supplementary agenda.
The Upper House is expected to discuss the Bill in detail on Tuesday and pass it without any hurdles.