NEW DELHI: In spite of the mounting pressure from Muslim leaders, the NF LF combine the NHRC and other civil rights bodies on the Union Government to repeal TADA, the Center is unlikely to relent.
According to available indications, the Union Home Ministry may revise some of the provisions of the TADA when it comes up for review in May. Informed sources, however, admit that there is a sharp division among the top leadership over TADA.
It is believed that both Sharad Pawar and Beant Singh are for the continuation of TADA, but contain Union Ministers like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Rajesh Pilot, and C.K. Jaffer Sharief are opposed to the move on political grounds.
Those demanding the withdrawal of TADA point out that the law, which come into force to deal with the extra- ordinary situation in Punjab and Kashmir, is being put to maximum use in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan where there is little of no sign of a secessionist movement. They alleged that in many cases, TADA has been used against members of the minority community.
While the CPI, the CPM, the Janata Dal and other non-BJP parties have made it clear that they will oppose any move for the extension of TADA. North Block mandarins are confident of getting it passed with the help of the BJP. The BJP leadership has made it clear that it is not opposed to TADA though L.K. Advani and other party leaders want it to be linked with the human rights issue. Recently, more than 100 MPs, cutting across party lines, signed a memorandum demanding that the government repeal TADA. The National Human Rights Commission has in a letters to all MPs asked them not to extend support to the “draconian law.” Meanwhile in Madras, a Designated Court judge here last week ordered the medical examination and treatment of eight TADA detainees, who alleged that they were brutally attacked by the authorities of the Central Prison here.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 10, 1995
