Campaign |
‘My party is proud for having fought for the minorities’ Mulayam Singh Yadav I fully support the principle of
payment of compensation by the state to victims of communal riots. Whenever
in government, I have paid this compensation. There is absolutely no
question that the minorities are experiencing fear and insecurity because
the whole phenomenon of communal bias and partisan behaviour has been on a
marked increase. Much of the conduct of the local
thanedar or the superintendent of police depends on the motives and
orientation of the government in power. When they act in a blatantly
partisan way and commit atrocities, it is often because they know that the
political climate is “favorable” and they can get away with it. Therefore, I
am in complete agreement that action against the civil administration —the
thanedar, district magistrate — and representations of the law and order
machinery must be swift and stringent. I am happy to say that in Uttar
Pradesh, while my government was in power, we gave proof of our commitment
to this principle by taking swift action against officials whose conduct
amounted to a dereliction of duty. And inculcated an approach and attitude
in the minds of the authorities that such penal action is compulsory,
mandatory. As far as the Bill (being drafted
by a committee oflegal experts) is concerned, let it come. Let us see the
draft. There is no question that if it is in line with the position of the
Samajwadi Party, we will support it. The Samajwadi Party is a party that is
proud to have taken up issues that affect the lives and security of the
minorities. We have fought for them and even suffered political ostracism or
other difficulties because of our stand. |