The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day after witnessing three adjournments on several issues prominent being Telangana and new Communal Violence Bill. Cutting across party-lines, members opposed the Prevention of Communal Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2014 saying that the Centre is not competent to legislate on a subject which relates to the jurisdiction of the states.

Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said the bill is beyond the legislative parlance of the Centre. Opposing the bill, Dr V Maitreyan of AIADMK said the new bill is the revised version of the older one, which was withdrawn. Sitaram Yechury of the CPIM said it is violative of federal principles of the Constitution. T M Selva Ganapathy of the DMK and Derek Obrien of the Trinamool Congress also opposed the bill.

Responding to this, Law Minister Kapil Sibal made it clear that there is no provision in the new bill which allows the Centre to intervene in the state matters, particularly law and order situations. Without naming any state government, Mr Sibal said state-sponsored communal activity is not a part of law and order issue. He said the proposed bill is on the lines of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act under which CBI came into existence.

Sensing the mood of the House, Deputy Chairman deferred the introduction of the bill.

AIR Correspondent reports that the new bill is aimed at upholding secular democracy and protecting and fulfilling the right to equality and equal protection of law. The bill mandates the Centre and the State governments to exercise their powers in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner to prevent and control communal violence and secure fair and equal access to justice and ensure protection to the victims of communal violence.