NEW DELHI, India (AP) - Opponents of an anti-terrorism bill passed by lawmakers Tuesday, voiced fears the Hindu nationalist-led government would use the law selectively against Muslims and political rivals. They denounced the bill as an draconian curtailment of civil rights.
The government said the legislation is crucial after the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States and a Dec. 13 attack on the Indian Parliament.
The Prevention of Terrorism bill allows police to detain suspects for questioning for three months without bringing charges against them and an additional three months with approval from a special court. The bill also allows anyone suspected of giving money, shelter, transportation or other support to terrorists to be tried on terrorism charges.
It provides punishments ranging from a minimum five years in prison to death.
The government says the law will be effective against Islamic separatists in Indian-ruled Jammu-Kashmir. India blames the militants for the attack on Parliament and says they were aided by Pakistan. The tension has led to a perilous military standoff between the two nuclear rivals.
The bill was rejected last week by the upper house, dominated by the opposition Congress party. To break the deadlock, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called the joint session, the first since 1978 and only the third since independence in 1947. The Hindu nationalist-led government has a majority in the lower house. (Read photo caption within)
Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, said the law violates individual rights.
"This government has revealed its true intentions by using every device to arm itself with ... menacing powers."
The bill changes Indian law to admit confessions made to police as evidence. Current law prohibits such confessions unless they are made voluntarily in court.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee responds to a speech by Indian Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi during a debate on an anti-terrorism bill in Parliament in New Delhi, Tuesday, March 26, 2002, in this image from state-run Doordarshan television. Parliament was called into a joint session Tuesday, only the third time since independence, to consider an anti-terrorism bill that opposition parties say will curtail civil rights and be selectively used. (AP Photo/Doordarshan television)