In an interesting move, BJP members have introduced as many as 10 private member bills, covering issues like love jihad, prevention of religious conversions and banning specific hoardings. The move is likely to raise eyebrows, as these members could have instead urged their government to propose such bills.
A private member bill, in the parliamentary parlance, is an effective tool – mainly used by Opposition members to attract government attention on crucial subjects or to put the government on the mat.
The BJP members who have moved the bills include former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Atul Bhatkhalkar and Mahesh Landge. Mungantiwar, who lost his cabinet berth after the state assembly elections last year, alone has moved 8 bills, including one on religious freedom.
He has also moved a bill to curb hoardings at public places that depict violence and obscenity and a one to authorise the Commissioner of the BMC to deal with the ‘nuisance of stray and rabid dogs.’
For the obscene and violent hoardings that impact the minds of children and adolescents, Mungantiwar has suggested imprisonment up to two years with a fine of Rs2,000.
According to him, the presence of stray and rabid dogs is proving a major nuisance for senior citizens, school-going kids, and office goers, making it difficult to move on the streets. Under the present rules, the hands of the BMC commissioner are tied due to a stay order given by the court. The commissioner can be given powers by amending the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, he has suggested.
A bill moved by Mungantiwar intends to fix radium straps on the rear side of the trucks and heavy vehicles.
MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar has moved a bill to curb forcible religious conversion under the love jihad. He has suggested imprisonment of up to three years with a fine of up to Rs50,000.
Both Mungantiwar and Bhatkhalkar have moved a bill that suggests one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs10,000 for the tipplers who drink in public places and roam the streets, which is creating a sense of fear among womenfolk. These people drink in open as well as near religious places, threatening law and order, says the bill.
