Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Saturday criticised the Centre for seeking views of the state government on the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill without providing a draft of the bill to it.
“It is important to tell that the Centre has not sent the proposed communal violence bill to the state government. Hence it is not the opportune moment to comment on the Bill,” Ms. Mayawati said in a written speech read out at the National Integration Council meeting.
She said reports appearing in the media are creating confusion in the minds of the people about the bill.
“It will be appropriate if the Centre forwards the draft bill to the state governments and then seek their views on it,” she said.
Pointing out that the state government had demanded 642 companies of central forces after the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi decision but only 52 companies were provided, she said, “Still communal harmony prevailed in the state due to smart police arrangement in the state.”
Ms. Mayawati said the state government is running a number of schemes for uplift of the minority community in the state by protecting their fundamental rights and taking care of their educational, cultural, economical requirements.
“The state has enacted the UP Minority Commission amendment Act 2007 to protect rights of minority community. The state is also helping in modernisation of ‘madarasas’ enabling them to impart education in modern subjects in addition to religious education,” she mentioned.
She said a number of schemes are being launched in the state to protect the interests of the marginalised group.
