Rajya Sabha Passes UAPA Bill to Tag Individuals as Terrorists

New Delhi: A Bill amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, which allows the government to tag an individual as a terrorist, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Friday with a move by opposition parties to send it to a House panel getting defeated.

As a division was called for by some members during Bill’s passage, 147 members voted in favour and 42 against it.

The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill, under which the government can designate individuals as terrorists if the person commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for or promotes terror or is otherwise involved in terrorism.

Replying to the debate, Home Minister Amit Shah said earlier that it is important to name terrorists individually as it had been seen that when terrorist organisations were banned, the terrorists floated another outfit. He also said that countries like the US, Israel, Pakistan and China designate individuals as terrorists.

Many opposition parties opposed the provision, saying this could be misused. Congress leader P. Chidambaram said that tagging an organisation as a terrorist was different from branding an individual. He stressed that the provision violated individual liberty.

“Let me caution you, the government, that it will be struck down. Instead of listening to us here and making the necessary correction, you are forcing us to go about a kilometre away to another building (Supreme Court) and present (the case) to another set of individuals. “How does it raises the esteem of Parliament? We are doing something which is hopelessly unconstitutional,” the former Union Minister said, adding that the Bill should be sent to a Select Committee. (IANS)

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