Cong manifesto promises new law on hate crimes

Congress on Wednesday released its manifesto for Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, promising a new law on hate crimes to provide enhanced punishment for those creating tension on basis of caste and religion besides offering sops to women, OBCs and minorities.

The 12-page manifesto condemned BJP's "anti-poor and anti-people policies", saying, "Divisive forces run rampant with impunity across the country...To combat these forces our two great parties (SP-Cong) have allied."

The Congress also described its coming together with Samajwadi Party as "an important moment" in the history of country's politics.

Noting that BJP's "agenda of hatred and divisiveness becomes clearer with every election", the manifesto pledged to enact a new law on hate crimes to provide enhanced punishment to those who create tension on basis of caste, gender and religion.