The Hindu : National : Spirit of accommodation to the fore

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Wednesday, Dec 08, 2004

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National

Spirit of accommodation to the fore

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 7. The spirit of mutual accommodation was the overriding factor in the Rajya Sabha today during a discussion on the internal security situation. With no legislative business at hand and the possibility of an early adjournment for the second straight day looming, the Opposition conceded the Government's request for a short duration discussion on internal security even though its speakers were not prepared. This after the Government expressed its inability to advance the debate on either price rise or foreign policy listed for later in the week.

The Opposition's gesture was appreciated and reciprocated by the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil. First he conceded the Opposition's demand for referring the Bill to replace the Displaced Persons Claim Act, 1950, to the Standing Committee of Parliament for examination. Next, after listening to Arun Shourie open the short duration discussion, Mr. Patil offered to respond to all his questions orally as well as in writing. Later he offered to respond to questions raised by all the members in writing.

Despite the bonhomie by senior leaders from both sides, the post-lunch session threatened to begin on an acrimonious note. As soon as the House re-assembled, Sanjay Nirupam (Shiv Sena) began objecting to the Government's decision to bring forward a discussion listed for next week. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Sushma Swaraj, too began by saying that the time given for the discussion was too short for the party to prepare. However, after making the point about the "Opposition's duty is behave responsibly," she conceded the Deputy Chairman's request for a discussion today.

Repealing POTA

Mr. Shourie drew attention to the danger in repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) when existing laws had been able to convict just 29 persons in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989. He also objected to the Andhra Pradesh Government holding talks with naxalites without consulting other affected States, the Assam Government treating the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) with "kid gloves" and "loose statements" by senior Central Ministers on the Kashmir issue. Overall, the "permissive signal" being given to separatists since the change of Government at the Centre could compound the problem, he said.

A. Vijayaraghavan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said both minority and majority communalism were detrimental to the country's security. He wondered why a political party should stage dharnas to demand the release of a seer arrested in a murder case. He said the situation was similar in Kerala where a Minister accused of culpability in a rape case had started describing the agitation for his ouster from the Government as an attempt to target his religion.

The CPI (M) leader wanted Mr. Patil to detail the steps being taken to check communalism especially after the BJP at its Ranchi meeting decided to focus on Hinduism. Anand Sharma (Congress) also spoke on the subject.

The discussion will continue tomorrow.

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