Cabinet okays Bill to protect people from social boycott

Key Highlights

• It said boycotts and imposition of various punishments by extrajudicial bodies such as caste or community panchayats are still in practice in various communities in the State, resulting in great harassment of individuals or groups in leading their lives with dignity.
• This has adverse effects on the social life of the community, and has given rise to ill feelings and disharmony in society.
• The Bill proposed to remove these evils and unconstitutional practices from society and proposed to appoint the social boycott prohibition officer.
• The Bill said existing laws of the State are not adequate in dealing with such evil social practices.
• Any person who imposes or causes to be imposed any social boycott on any member of his community would, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment which would be extended up to three years, the Bill said.