{"id":19667,"date":"2013-04-07T05:11:49","date_gmt":"2013-04-07T09:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=19667"},"modified":"2013-04-07T07:38:58","modified_gmt":"2013-04-07T11:38:58","slug":"i-dont-want-to-ban-any-organization-but-i-want-new-laws-banning-hate-language-and-prevent-spread-of-communal-hatred-vasudeva-nanayakkara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=19667","title":{"rendered":"“I Dont Want to Ban Any Organization But I Want New Laws Banning Hate Language And Prevent Spread of Communal Hatred -Vasudeva Nanayakkara"},"content":{"rendered":"

By <\/p>\n

Umesh Moramudali<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"VNBBS030613\"<\/a><\/p>\n


\nWith racial discrimination on the rise, Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakkara is due to submit a Cabinet paper, seeking approval to ban hate language, which is designed to incite communal disharmony. Ceylon Today interviewed asked him about the steps he intends taking to stem the increasing incidents of racial attacks against minority communities<\/em><\/p>\n

Excerpts of the interview:<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Q: We are witnessing the spread of racial hatred with the Muslim community being targeted through acts of violence. How do you view the present situation?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: It is a horrible situation and it should be condemned. I am also concerned that the law enforcement agencies have not taken action against the perpetrators of violence against the minorities by arresting them and producing them in Court. This would give those involved in such activities the message that they cannot go unpardoned if they commit a crime.<\/p>\n

Q: What are the reasons for the emergence of racial disharmony?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Basically it is xenophobia about racial superiority and dominant claims made by certain racial groups. Those who carried out such discriminating operations are xenophobic.<\/p>\n

Q: Who is carrying out such activities so as to spread racial hatred?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: There are groups who engage in raising discontent. They target Muslim people by bringing disrepute on them, or by being critical about their religious observances so as to ridicule them. The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) is one. I don\u2019t know how many such organizations are operating. They go around with an anti-Muslim campaign to create a state of fear among the Muslims, so as to make them feel insecure. <\/p>\n

I see the statement made by the BBS, as a clear stand on their position when they engage in such activities. They now say they oppose any other religion that goes against Buddhism as they want to protect Buddhism. However, they have not spelt out what they mean by \u2018protecting Buddhism\u2019 and how they hope to achieve that. <\/p>\n

There are many unidentified groups which spread racial hatred. However, our National Intelligence Bureau is capable of finding out who is behind such groups, and I believe they will do it.<\/p>\n

Q: Is BBS an extremist group?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: No. I would not call it an extremist group, but rather a religious, fanatical group.<\/p>\n

Q: Are you ready to discuss the present issues with BBS?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I have nothing to discuss with them. Their objectives are clear from their conduct and pronouncements. Their character is also obvious from the way they act and the language they use.<\/p>\n

It appears they have changed their stance from what it was before. I welcome that and expect them to continue to hold on to this stance. If their purpose is to protect Buddhism, I am prepared to support them. I am also of the view that we need to protect the rights of every religion.<\/p>\n


\nQ: The media reported recently that you are going to ban organizations such as the BBS. What is the reason behind this move?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: No. Those media reports were incorrect. I clarified what I had said. I do not want to ban any organization. Banning any organization is undemocratic. I may disagree with an organization, but they have the right to express their opinion. That is democracy.<\/p>\n

I call for new laws preventing the use of hate language and insults, or provocative ideas being spread which will incite communal hatred and lead to communal clashes.<\/p>\n

Q: Do you think banning hate language would help to stop the spread of racism?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Yes, because then people who spread racial hatred can be prosecuted. Action will be taken against persons who use hate language. That will be punishable offence.<\/p>\n

Q: How you are going to identify such language, which may lead to communal tension?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I am studying the issue. For instance, the defamation or sacrilege of a place of worship of a particular group, in order to moot hostility towards their religious belief, or any word spoken or written about a religion which could bring disrepute to the religion, or promoting racial disharmony are the areas of focus. A Cabinet Sub-committee will be appointed once a Cabinet paper is presented. Thereafter, we can discuss how we can identify hate statements.<\/p>\n

Q: What is the procedure you hope to adopt?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I will propose an amendment to the Penal Code by making such acts a punishable offence. Certain provisions to spell out what is a defamatory statement, what is hate speech or what is abuse of a religious identity, need to be incorporated to the Penal Code so as to make such actions a punishable offence. <\/p>\n


\nQ: What actions will be taken against people who use hate language or spread racial hatred? <\/strong><\/p>\n

A: They will be charged according to the law if they are found guilty of making such statements. <\/p>\n

Q: What was the outcome of your recent discussion with the representatives of different communities?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The main suggestion was that the Cabinet should ban hate language. Another suggestion was to hold a convention to discuss racial issues. Religious leaders, professionals, trade union leaders, students, civil society and people from all walks of life should participate so that the views of every segment of society could be noted.<\/p>\n

Q: When do you envisage holding the convention?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: We have not fixed a date. The main purpose of holding the convention is to convey to the country that mass opinion is vital to counter religious and racial issues.<\/p>\n

Q: Has the government taken enough steps to stop the spread of racial hatred?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: At present, there are no laws in this regard. And that is why I intend submitting a Cabinet paper seeking Cabinet approval. However, there have been some attacks against the minorities which are criminal offences and they need to be dealt with according to the laws governing criminal activities.
\nCOURTESY:CEYLON TODAY<\/em><\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Umesh Moramudali With racial discrimination on the rise, Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakkara is due to submit a Cabinet paper, seeking approval to ban hate language, which is designed to incite communal disharmony. Ceylon Today interviewed asked him about the steps he intends taking to stem the increasing incidents of …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘“I Dont Want to Ban Any Organization But I Want New Laws Banning Hate Language And Prevent Spread of Communal Hatred -Vasudeva Nanayakkara’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19667"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19667"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19675,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19667\/revisions\/19675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}