Govt taking steps to restrain 'fringe' elements: Rathore

In the backdrop of controversial utterances by BJP leaders in recent past, government today said it is taking steps to restrain "fringe" elements who have been making "irresponsible" comments.

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot respond to every such comment as that would be giving too much importance to such people.

Several journalists at an interaction with Rathore here raised questions related to a series of controversial remarks by several BJP leaders in recent past.

Rathore, who is Minister of State (MoS) in Information and Broadcasting ministry, also condemned recent attacks on churches and added that there could be various motives, including "sabotage", which should be investigated.

"Government is taking steps to curb.....show cause notices have been sent to these people. They have been asked to restrain themselves. The government is taking steps," Rathore said while speaking at an interaction organised by the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC).

Apparently referring to a controversial remarks made by Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Rathore said Modi had himself said in Parliament that making objectionable comments is wrong.

"These fringe elements are not just in BJP, they are also in other parties and also with other religions. The point is they are not the majority opinion. If everytime a fringe element speaks anywhere and the response to that should come from the Prime Minister is giving that fringe element too much of importance," he further said.

Rathore expressed concern that comments made by the "fringe elements" may wrongly seem to be a reflection on the government.

He, however, added that the government, with so many ministers, is stating what its path is. "If any one amongst them takes a wrong step, (then) please make hue and cry," he said.

Asked if he felt that the controversial utterings had resulted in BJP's assembly poll debacle in Delhi, Rathore said he would only share his opinion only within the party.

The Minister also termed the attacks on churches and schools run by certain religions as "absolutely ridiculous" and "absolutely unacceptable" by any sane society.

"Some of these are being termed as acts of the government and that itself is ridiculous. There are certain fringe elements from whichever religion, perhaps with vested interests, perhaps this could be a sabotage. But whatever it is, the Delhi police has to get to the bottom of it, catch the perpetrators and prevent such acts further," he said.

Asked whether he meant political sabotage, Rathore did not clarify and said that he had answered the question.

Rathore also dismissed questions based on the suggestion that the film "MSG The Messenger" had been released as Dera Sachcha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had supported BJP in the Delhi elections.

"Dera Sachcha Sauda gave us support right in the Lok Sabha elections. So should we have got released that movie then?.... I believe the movie was to be released on 13th of January. It didn't release then because of a certain reason and it is getting released now," he said.