Indian Government Pushes Anti-Terror Bill

The Indian government said Tuesday that it will seek parliamentary approval for a controversial anti-terrorism decree despite stiff opposition.

Vijay Kumar Malhotra, spokesman for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, said the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance--proclaimed after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States--will be introduced in Parliament on Dec. 11.

“We’re ready to accommodate any amendments suggested by the opposition parties. But there’s no question of dropping the bill,” Malhotra said.

Opposition parties have slammed the measure as draconian and said it could be used to muzzle free speech or target the country’s minority Muslim population.

Later, the government held a meeting with all opposition parties to try to defuse the controversy, but no agreement was reached.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s coalition government does not have a majority in the upper house of Parliament, and opposition backing would be needed.

The decree, proclaimed under emergency provisions in the constitution, will lapse after six months unless it wins parliamentary approval.

A senior ruling party lawmaker, who asked not to be named, said the anti-terrorism decree “looks like it is doomed.”

The ordinance would set new rules for arrest, interrogation and investigation and allow suspects to be detained for 90 days without being charged or tried.

It would also make it mandatory for anyone, including journalists, with information about potential acts of terrorism to pass it on to security officials.