The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has decided to press criminal charges against Janata Party president and columnist Subramanian Swamy for an incendiary article he wrote against Muslims in the Daily News and Analysis .
In the article, written against the backdrop of the July 13 Mumbai blasts, Dr. Swamy had asked for India to be declared a Hindu Rashtra and sought severe punitive measures against Muslims, including their disenfranchisement if they did not acknowledge their Hindu ancestry.
NCM chairperson Wajahat Habibullah told The Hindu that the full Bench of the Commission met on Tuesday and unanimously resolved to act against Dr. Swamy.
The NCM decided on three specific actions. One, a criminal case to be filed against Dr. Swamy under Sections 153A, 153B (promoting enmity between two groups on grounds of religion and assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings). Two, a recommendation to the Election Commission to de-recognise the Janata Party of which Dr. Swamy is the president. And three, notice to the newspaper and its website for publishing the article.
‘Deeply offensive’
“The article is deeply offensive and there were no two opinions among members that the Commission must proceed against Dr. Swamy with all the force at its command,” said Mr. Habibullah.
