‘Govt examining provisions to deal with racial attacks’
The government is examining the inclusion of new provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to deal with incidents of hate crime and racial discrimination, junior home minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The amendments would enable police to take suo moto cognizance of such crimes and take action, which it is unable to do now. Currently, in such cases unless a formal complaint is lodged, police action is hampered. Rijiju’s statement comes in the backdrop of a recent spurt in incidents of lynching and racial discrimination reported from various parts of the country.
Citing the recent case of a woman barred entry into the Delhi Golf Club due to her attire, Rijiju said it was a serious incident. “But the Delhi Police can’t take any action as no formal complaint has been lodged,” he said.
Rijiju said a proposal to insert two new provisions in IPC - Sections 153 C and 509 A – has been made to deal with offences of promoting enmity on the grounds of religion, race, residence or language, was under examination.
“….the provisions are part of recommendations of Bezbaruah Committee and will help to deal effectively with offences involving racial matters and words, gestures or acts intended to insult a member of a racial group or race,” Rijiju said. The government has sought views of all states to proposed amendments. “We have received opinion from seven states and UTs. They gave a positive response...We are waiting for response from remaining states as a majority opinion was needed to carry out these changes.” he said.