Communal and Targeted Violence
(Access to Justice and Reparation) Bill, 2011
Bishop Thomas Dabre
Endorsement
I would be willing to endorse the proposed Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparation) Bill, 2011 because it seeks to redress injustices done to various minorities, bring the guilty to book and ensure accountability on the part of the law enforcement machinery. It provides for rehabilitation, reparation, and compensation for victims. The Bill seeks to enhance state accountability and to correct discriminatory exercise of powers.
The facts have shown that there is bias, prejudicial and partisan functioning of the government administration. Various Commissions of Inquiry have shown that there has been violence against Biharis in Maharashtra, Assam and against Sikhs in Delhi, against Muslims in Bhagalpur, Bhiwandi and Gujarat, and against dalits and tribals in several parts of India.
There is growth of fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism, no effective deterrent, discriminatory measures on the part of authorities, lack of accountability, no preventive measures, cases not registered, apathy, delays
and neglect on the part of the law enforcement authorities, hate campaign, no proper rehabilitation, reparation and compensation. This deplorable state of affairs would call for such a Bill to be passed.
The minorities have no hope if public servants do not enforce law and take effective penal and corrective measures to protect minorities.
