New Delhi (PTI): Anguished over attacks on their community in Orissa and Karnataka, Christians leaders on Monday called upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and members of the National Integration Council (NIC) to curb incidents of violence and pressed for a Communal Violence Bill.
In a joint statement to the NIC, Christian community leaders said a Communal Violence Bill should be enacted. They claimed that the step should have been taken by the government long back.
They also demanded comprehensive relief and rehabilitation policies be drafted by the government.
The joint statement was issued by Archbishop of Delhi Vincent Concessao, Principal of St Stephen's College Valson Thampu and Secretary General of All India Christian Council John Dayal. more
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"...Violence seems to be permeating society today, across the length and breadth of our country -- whether it be terrorist violence, whether it is violence with an ideological veneer such as that adopted by the Left-wing extremists, or communal violence," Singh said inaugurating the day-long meeting of the Council.Singh said those who threatened communal harmony, integrity and peaceful co-existence deserve very deterrent punishment.
"In doing so, we need to be bound by the framework of our Constitution and the political democratic process that enables us to reconcile differences through dialogue. We should not be provoked to suspend or subvert a democratic process in the search for solutions," he said.
The Prime Minister said democracy has a special onus in that it has to ensure protection of civil liberties even as it seeks to enforce law and order. It has also to be done in a manner that respects the constitutional bounds of a federal polity. more
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