Provocative speeches to be reined in: Moily

DHNS

• Bill to empower Centre to take action

Bangalore, 29 August 2010: Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily on Saturday said the Centre is planning to rein in those who make communally provocative statements, including politicians, by making a separate provision in the proposed Communal Violence Bill. 

 
Replying to a query whether the Centre is contemplating to take suo motu action against BJP MLA Prahlad Remani for his alleged provocative statement recently, he said: “The proposed Bill (Anti-communal violence Bill) will help the Centre to control such statements.

The proposed law will empower the Centre to take suo motu action on such persons. Presently, it is the responsibility of the State governments to act in this regard.”

Leaders of the Christian community had raised serious objections to Remani’s alleged anti-Christian statement and demanded the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to take action against him. Even Governor H R Bhardwaj has directed the chief minister to initiate action against the MLA.

Inappropriate

Moily termed the BJP’s plan to hold dharna pressing the President Pratibha Patil to give her assent to the Anti-cow Slaughter Bill, as inappropriate. “A responsible government should act within the framework of constitution. It is not appropriate to demand the President to give her assent. It is also not appropriate to question a Governor’s decision in sending the Bill to the President,” he stated.

On the illegal mining issue, the Union Law Minister reiterated that the Centre will soon enact a legislation to put a full stop to illegal mining. It is proposed to set up a separate authority to monitor the mining activities.

The Centre has already ordered a judicial inquiry into the issue, he added.