NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre, the West Bengal government and the Election Commission on a PIL which sought protection of Hindus, their property and identity in the wake of alleged post-poll violence in the state and claimed that absence of urgent measures could lead to exodus of Hindus as seen in Kashmir in the 1990s.
After a brief argument from counsel Hari Shankar Jain, a bench of Justices Vineet Saran and Dinesh Maheshwari issued notices to the three respondents,— Centre, Bengal government and EC — but refused to seek response from West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who was also made a party in the PIL. The petition claimed the EC failed to act against Trinamool Congress’ alleged communal pitch and the Centre could do little after the elections when Hindus were allegedly attacked.
The PIL by Ranjana Agnihotri, Hindu Front for Justice and Jitendra Singh claimed TMC fought the polls on communal lines and after its victory in the polls, emboldened supporters belonging to the minority community allegedly indulged in wanton violence, looting, arson, sexual assault of women and targeted members of the Hindu community who had supported BJP.The SC has already entertained petitions seeking a court-appointed SIT or CBI probe into post-poll violence in the state.
The petitioners said the EC remained a mute spectator to complaints against Trinamool and Banerjee making appeals on communal lines, an offence under the Representation of People Act, to garner votes of the Muslim community.
After a brief argument from counsel Hari Shankar Jain, a bench of Justices Vineet Saran and Dinesh Maheshwari issued notices to the three respondents,— Centre, Bengal government and EC — but refused to seek response from West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who was also made a party in the PIL. The petition claimed the EC failed to act against Trinamool Congress’ alleged communal pitch and the Centre could do little after the elections when Hindus were allegedly attacked.
The PIL by Ranjana Agnihotri, Hindu Front for Justice and Jitendra Singh claimed TMC fought the polls on communal lines and after its victory in the polls, emboldened supporters belonging to the minority community allegedly indulged in wanton violence, looting, arson, sexual assault of women and targeted members of the Hindu community who had supported BJP.The SC has already entertained petitions seeking a court-appointed SIT or CBI probe into post-poll violence in the state.
The petitioners said the EC remained a mute spectator to complaints against Trinamool and Banerjee making appeals on communal lines, an offence under the Representation of People Act, to garner votes of the Muslim community.
