Congress slams BJP for opposing communal violence bill

NEW DELHI: A day after it faced vociferous demands that the communal violence bill be passed, Congress questioned the BJP for its opposition to the legislation by saying that any party wanting a riots-free India should back it.

Khurshid Ahmed Saiyed, head of Congress's minority department, said, "If we all agree that India is to be rid of communal riots, then why should anyone oppose the communal violence bill. Those opposing the bill do not want that the riots should end in the country."

The BJP is strongly opposed to the proposed legislation and it forced Congress to keep away from bringing it in the winter session of Parliament though the Union Cabinet had cleared it with a sense of urgency.

Congress faced serious questions at an interaction with civil society to seek inputs for its manifesto for the 2014 elections on Monday.

The riots bill topped the policy measures sought by Muslims, with most participants saying the government should show urgency because of the Muzaffarnagar riots.

Slamming BJP, Saiyed said, "There are parties that want people to fight amongst themselves. That is the basis of their politics. There is no logic for their opposition to the communal violence bill."