Bhattal slams govt’s ‘rigid’ stand on damage to property bill
Saturday, 24/01/2015
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SANGRUR: Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has condemned the Punjab government for its rigid stand over the Prevention Of Damage To Public and Private Property Bill 2014. Bhattal criticised the government for ignoring protests by the people of Punjab in this regard.
In a statement issued here on Friday, Bhattal said despite protests by various groups and organisations across the state opposing the bill, the state government seemed reluctant to withdraw this draconian bill.
She said that the Congress had been vocal about its reservations regarding this bill in the assembly. “The draconian bill is solely aimed at curbing the voice of the people, as it will curb protests and demonstrations against the state government,” said Bhattal. She added that this law violated a citizen’s civil liberties by depriving him of his fundamental right.
“The beauty of democracy is that it allows people to carry out protests, demonstrations and rallies without the government’s consent. But a provision in this bill states that a protest would be considered as a nonbailable offence. This is an antidemocratic move on the part of the government,” Bhattal said, expressing her displeasure over the state government maintaining silence over the bill.
She said that this law was designed to suit the political interests of the Badal government which does not want people to raise their voice against policies and on the rampant corruption within state administration.
She also criticized the Modi government for promulgating ordinance on the land acquisition act.
