The Upper house passed the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill) 2019 on Friday. The Bill seeks to give the power to the Central government so that it can designate an individual as terrorists.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act(UAPA) amendment, 2019 passed in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/jfttTZvdmE
— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2019
Congress and other opposition parties have been opposing the Bill, terming it as “draconian” and demanding more scrutiny to the procedure of passing the Bill. Yet, the Bill was passed with 147 votes in favor, while 42 votes were cast against it. Lok Sabha had earlier given its approval to the bill on July 24.
The UAPA 2019 Amendment Bill seeks to repeal Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It empowers the government not only to level group outfits as a terrorist organization but it also gives the government the right to label an individual as terrorists. Under the salient provisions of the bill, Director-General of NIA (National Investigation Agency) gets power to order the seizure/attachment of the property if the case falls under investigation of agency.
Congress leader Digvijay Singh, according to ANI, said, “We doubt their (BJP) intent. Congress never compromised on terrorism that is why we had brought this law. It is you who compromised on terror, once during the release of Rubaiya Saeed Ji and second by letting off Masood Azhar.”
The opposition parties have expressed their fears over the misuse of the given Bill. They have questioned the intentions of the government behind the provisions of Bill. The opposition has asked to refer the bill to Select Committee.
Home Minister Amit Shah cleared his stand and, as quoted by ANI, said, ” When we were in opposition, we supported previous UAPA amendments, be it in 2004,’08 or ’13 as we believe all should support tough measures against terror. We also believe that terror has no religion, it is against humanity, not against a particular Govt or individual.”
The UAPA Amendment Bill will now go for President’s approval.
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