National Commission for Minorities (NCM) today decided to file a case for "spreading enmity between communities" against Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy for his article suggesting revoking voting rights of Muslims.
The decision was taken at a Commission meeting, headed by Chairman Wajahat Habibullah, and which was attended by among others Vice Chairperson H T Sangliana and members H S Hanspal, Vinod Sharma and Keki N Daruwalla.
"We will proceed with further action in consultation with our counsel. We will register an FIR, take up the matter with the authorities concerned -- Election Commission of India and other organisations concerned, in a couple of days," Habibullah told PTI.
He said Swamy has violated relevant sections of IPC, Representation of Peoples' Act and IT Act and the Commission will file case accordingly.
The Harvard-educated economic scholar, Swamy, in an article in a newspaper said, "we need a collective mindset as Hindus to stand against the Islamic terrorist....If any Muslim acknowledges his or her Hindu legacy, then we Hindus can accept him or her as a part of the Brihad Hindu Samaj (greater Hindu society) which is Hindustan."
"Others, who refuse to acknowledge this, or those foreigners who become Indian citizens by registration, can remain in India but should not have voting rights (which means they cannot be elected representatives)," the article read.
Noting that the article has "deeply offended" the Commission, Habibullah said, "the action will be taken soon... may be in a couple of days. The lawyer will advise us as to what to do."