Karnataka Assembly passes Social Boycott Prevention Bill
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed the Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill unanimously.
The bill was introduced in the House by the Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa on December 12.
The bill defines social boycott as a gesture or an act, whether oral or written, of any social discrimination between the members of the community.
ALSO READ: 'Like-minded' Cong MLAs attend dinner hosted by Jarkiholi amid power tussle for CM post
The bill proposes three years of imprisonment and a fine extending up to Rs 1 lakh. It also prohibits people from gathering, assembling, or congregating at any time and at any place with the view or intention to deliberate on the issue of imposing social boycott on any member of the community. It prohibits gathering to impose social boycott.
The bill also says that if the accused is convicted, the court should hear the victim on the quantum of sentence and then only pass the sentence.
During the discussion, Mahadevappa termed the bill historic and said the aim of the bill is to bring equality in society and to protect backward people from further getting marginalised through social boycott.
The BJP and the JD(S) MLAs welcomed the bill.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara hints at extending legislative session
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday indicated that the legislative session may be extended by two or three days.
The session was convened on January 22, which, as per the schedule, would go on till January 31. However, the government is considering extending it further.
"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in the Congress Legislative Party meeting yesterday (Wednesday) that the government will request Speaker U T Khader to convene a Business Advisory Council (BAC). There a decision will be taken," Parameshwara told reporters.
"It will be decided in the BAS whether the session should conclude on Saturday or be extended till February one or two," he added.
The minister said the chief minister or ministers cannot decide on extending the session since it is Khader’s prerogative.
