Any
person found guilty of spreading or
propagating hatred against
people living with HIV/AIDS will face strict punishment of imprisonment
up to
two years and a maximum fine of Rs one lakh, according to a proposed
legislation. The new bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha today seeks to protect
rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS and end discrimination against them
through stringent penal measures. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014, was
tabled in the Upper House amid din by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The
bill provides for protection to those infected by HIV and AIDS from denial of
employment and harassment of any kind, besides provision of medical treatment
while ensuring confidentiality and privacy while providing HIV and AIDS related
services. The bill also provides protection to such persons from being
subjected to an HIV test without their informed consent.