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DATA DIGGING
Data on communal violence go missing

he Ministry of Move to drop the figures from MHA’s Annual NFCH promotes communal
Home Affairs has harmony through various
dropped data Report 2018-19 comes after 2017 witnessed 28% activities, such as Project
on communal spike in such riots, reports my siddiqui Assist, Communal Harmony
T violence in its Campaign Week and Flag
Annual Report 2018-19. The Day, Communal Harmony
move comes after the country Campaign and Fund Raising
witnessed a 28 per cent spike Week, Extension Activities
in communal riots by the end like Inter-faith Dialogue
of 2017 since 2014 when the Programmes on Commu-
BJP-led NDA government nal Harmony and National
first assumed office. It has also Integration in collaboration
withheld data on mob lynch- with schools, universities,
ing and hate crimes. organizing one-day Essay
Simultaneously, Na- and Debate Competition cum
tional Crime Records Bureau National Workshop on the
(NCRB), which is store house Role of Interfaith Dialogue or
of all crimes that it col- Sustainable Development of
lates from States and Union the Indian Society, Roundta-
Territories, has introduced ble Conference on Interfaith
a chapter on violence by anti- Dialogue for Prosperity in
nationals as part of NCRB’s the country, spreading mes-
latest data for the year 2017, sages of communal harmony
already delayed by one year. with the situations arising out the activities of religious and strengthening national
NCRB, at the same time, of communal violence. fundamentalists, organisa- integration, Walk for Global
has omitted data on mob tions or groups or individuals, Peace and Interfaith Dialogue
lynching by influential peo- hese guidelines are reiter- having a bearing on security, for Social Harmony Project
ple, killings by Khap Panchay- Tated from time to time peace and public tranquility Partnership and so on.
at, murders committed for to sensitise States and Union of the country are under con- While the continuing hate
religious reasons, all of these Territories. It also describes stant watch of law enforce- crimes by the elements of
in the name of rule of law how the Central Govern- ment agencies, and action Sangh Parivar, euphemisti-
based democratic govern- ment assists States/Union under law is taken wherever cally called fringe elements,
ance, where the government Territories in maintaining necessary. Besides, certain which factually they are not,
of the day is accountable to communal harmony in their organisations/individuals are are undermining commu-
the people for its omission respective jurisdiction, adopt- declared unlawful asso- nal harmony and national
and commission. It has also ing various measures to pre- ciations under the Unlawful integration, suppression and
added data on cybercrimes empt and prevent potential Activities (Prevention) Act, manipulation of official data
and offences against state. violence, such as maintaining 1967 as amended to date. are denting public credibility,
This is autocratic and due vigilance, careful plan- Such unlawful associations raising question over the
subversion of rule of law ning and preparatory actions. have to be scrutinized by the peace and progress of the
and democracy making Other steps taken include Unlawful Activities (Preven- nation and eroding climate of
India a laughing stock of its sharing of intelligence, send- tion) Tribunals constituted investment. After all, busi-
democracy in the comity of ing alert messages, advisories within six months from the ness and investment do not
nations. etc. from time to time with date of such notification. thrive in a national ambience
However, the Annual a bearing on communal Other organisation in of heightened social ten-
Report 2018-19 describes harmony. It also describes the MHA that helps foster sions and considerable lack
protective, preventive and how the union government communal harmony and na- of reliability of official statics
pre-cautionary mechanism deploys Central Armed Police tional integration is National and data. Suppression of data
for maintaining and foster- Forces including the com- Foundation for Communal is undemocratic. Hence, anti-
ing communal harmony and posite Rapid Action Force, Harmony (NFCH), providing people. It denies people their
national integration in the created especially for such assistance to the children inherent right to information
Communal Harmony Guide- situation, on the requests of and youth rendered orphan, about the government func-
lines by the Central Govern- States. destitute in communal, caste, tioning and accountability!
ment laying down standard Among other measures, ethnic or terrorist violence
operating procedure to deal the annual report maintains, for their rehabilitation. LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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