Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and his deputy R.P.N. Singh on Tuesday assured a delegation of MPs and other political leaders that it was considering setting up fast-track courts for “early disposal” of terror cases against Muslim youth. The delegation, led by CPI leader A.B. Bardhan, had urged the government to set up such courts speedily.
If the government actually moves towards establishing such courts, with a general election looming in a year’s time, it will be seen in political circles as a move to assuage feelings of alienation among Muslims, and more so given the increasing prominence of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in national politics.
It is learnt that while such a move had been considered for quite some time in government circles, and the home minister had exchanged views on this with minority affairs minister K.R. Rahman, no substantive steps in this direction have been initiated so far. But now, some sources in the government feel the Centre may fast-track a decision on establishing such courts.
But it is also pointed out by certain sections within the government that any such move “exclusively for Muslim youth” accused of involvement in terror activities may not be “legally tenable”. But it still suits the Congress-led UPA to send out political signals to this effect. Sources say any move to divide the country’s polity on “secular-communal” lines would be to the “clear advantage” of the ruling party, particularly when large sections of the BJP are trying to project Mr Modi for the 2014 elections.
Earlier, in a briefing, Mr Singh said the government will act in the toughest possible manner against terrorism and terrorists. “But it will make extra steps to make sure no innocent youth are put behind bars,” he said.
The delegation submitted a 14-point memo demanding the government announce a clearcut timeframe on setting up fast-track courts and releasing on bail all accused who have been in prison for two years or more.
Such a demand has gained momentum with all the nine Muslim youth accused of involvement in the Malegaon blasts of 2006 being released from jail after five years with no evidence found against them. Last month, Bengaluru-based journalist Muthi-ur-Rehman Siddiqui and DRDO scientist Aijaz Ahmed Mirza, arrested by the Bengaluru police for an alleged terror plot, were released on bail as the NIA failed to file charges against them.