The National Human Rights Commission has reserved decision on Wayanad MP M.I. Shanavas' petition seeking its intervention in the matter of a recent article by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy where he prescribed a code of conduct for Muslims and suggested linking their voting rights to their acknowledging their Hindu ancestry.
The article appeared in the Daily News & Analysis on July 16, 2011, three days after the Mumbai serial bomb attacks.
Arguing that the article violated the human rights and other laws held sacred by the Constitution, the MP urged the NHRC to direct the Centre to start prosecution proceedings against Dr. Swamy.
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Mr. Shanavas said his home constituency Malappuram, which has a high share of Muslims in its population, was a model of harmonious co-existence among diverse communities. “Even when the Babri Masjid was demolished and the nation bled, Malappuram stood as a beacon of peace and tolerance.”
Mr. Shanavas said timely action by the NHRC would help to ensure the “supremacy of the spirit of our Constitution” and preserve the citizen's faith in it.
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