New Delhi, July. 24: Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday responding to the objections raised by opposition parties over the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) Amendment Bill, 2019.
Shah said that no matter which side of the House each member sits, they should be against terrorism.
“The law was implemented when the Congress was in power, the subsequent three amendments were also brought when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power. When you are raising questions, you are not thinking about who has brought this law into implementation”, said Shah criticising Congress.
Shah stressed on the need for a provision to declare an individual as a terrorist. Shah said,” There is a need for a provision to declare an individual as a terrorist in India similar to those on the lines of United Nations (UN), United States of America (US), European Union (EU), China, Israel, Pakistan.
Shah launched a scathing attack on the opposition parties accusing the Modi government of misusing the UAPA law. He further took a jibe at the opposition saying that then Code of Criminal procedure (CrPC) and the Police must be abolished as well.
Shah said the time has come for the global community to take the fight against terrorism earnestly. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been given the power only for those cases over which the central agency holds jurisdiction.
Shah reiterated the UAPA was brought by the UPA and it was the Congress which spoilt the federal structure. When it comes to anti-terror fight, we must rise above party politics.
Defending the UAPA bill in the Lower House, Amit Shah said that all those who indulged in terror activities must be charged as terrorists. “A terrorist has violence in their mentality, it is not about how many terror organisations are banned.
Terrorists have to be stopped to stop terrorism in the world”, added Shah.
Shah also criticised the Congress for opposing the legislation of the UAPA bill only to oppose the ruling party.
Opposition parties such as All India Majlis-e -Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi , Shashi Tharoor and Adhir Rnjsn Chaudhury staged a walk out from the Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra , Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule had opposed the UAPA bill in the Lok Sabha.
It is noteworthy that, the UAPA amendment Bill defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act. The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979). The Bill adds another treaty to the list which is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).
