Brinda Karat

NEW DELHI: Seeking to draw the attention of the Centre to a pattern in the incidents in different States of "communal forces" whipping up passions in the name of security of Hindu girls, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has sought a comprehensive probe into it.

"I appreciate that law and order being a State subject, the main responsibility lies with the State governments. However, given the national implications of the above developments, I would request you to consider whether it would be appropriate for the Central Government to have a comprehensive inquiry into the activities of such organisations, which are being formed in different States and into the sources of their funding. This will assist in [their] monitoring, and enable prompt action by the relevant authorities against communal incidents," said Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau member and MP, in a letter to Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

Attack on TV channel

Drawing his attention to the violence unleashed against a television news channel in Mumbai by the Hindu Rashtriya Sena, she said only 18 of the approximately 40 criminals in the group had been arrested. The attack was "clearly made to threaten the channel because it dared to show the pathetic plight of the inter-religious couple, who were looking for shelter from the attack of similar forces in Gujarat."

"Not surprisingly, the protests from these criminals is not because of concern that the girl is a minor, but because the person she eloped with is a Muslim," she said. The Minister should ensure that all the culprits were arrested and the case closely monitored.

The violence against the news channel was not an isolated incident. Ms. Karat pointed to another case in Bhopal, where two consenting adults belonging to different religions eloped to Mumbai, and the family of the Muslim groom was threatened. While the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal held violent demonstrations, the police arrested the brother of the groom, who was released only on the intervention of the Bombay High Court.

"No coincidence"

It was not a coincidence that a compact disc with inflammatory language and visuals against the constitutional and legal rights of consenting adults in self-choice inter-religious partnerships was released by the BJP during the Uttar Pradesh elections. She said though the CD had been withdrawn, the BJP had not spoken against its contents.

"A pattern is apparent where communal forces in different States, particularly where the BJP is in office, are trying to whip up communal passions in the name of security of Hindu girls. The proliferation of such groups or organisations under various banners and nomenclatures indulging in blatant communal propaganda and practice has very grave implications for communal harmony, as well as individual rights," she said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail