JOIN USDadri lynching communal: Home Ministry
The Union Home Ministry on Monday expressed concern over "various incidents with communal overtones" across the country and bracketed the “unfortunate” murder of a man over beef eating rumours under communal incidents.
However, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma and other BJP leaders insisted that it should not be painted in communal hues.
The statement by the Home Ministry led by senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh came a week after the Dadri incident in which a 50-year-old man, Akhlaq, was killed and his son grievously injured in their house in Uttar Pradesh by a mob over rumours that the deceased had consumed beef.
“While law and order is basically a State subject, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been concerned with various incidents with communal overtones across the country, including the recent unfortunate incident at Dadri, UP,” the statement said.
The Ministry said an advisory had been issued to the state governments that there shall be "zero tolerance towards any attempt to weaken the secular fabric of the nation and/or exploiting religious emotions or sentiments".
Stern action
“MHA has called on the States to take strictest action as per law against such elements without any exception whatsoever," the statement added. Earlier, on October 1, the Ministry had sought a report on the Dadri incident from the state government of UP, and advised the latter to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The Ministry's statement came even after Sharma's repeated assertions that it was an accident and one should not link it to communalism.
Even the Home Minister was quoted by PTI as saying on Sunday that it was not proper to give communal colour to it. "It was an unfortunate incident. But it is not proper to give communal colour to it," Singh was quoted as saying. He went on to say that no one should play politics using the incident.
Earlier, Deccan Herald had reported Home Ministry's warning to states against the increasing trend of campaign against cow/cattle slaughter by "Hindu activists".
“Campaigns against cow/cattle slaughter by Hindu activists have witnessed an increase in the recent weeks with interception of cows/cattle transportation, sometimes leading to road blockades, arson and communal incidents. In the past, sacrifice of cattle at public/non-traditional places has also provided the flash point for communal incidents," the Ministry said in an advisory on September 11.
BJP MLA’s ‘provocative’ remarks under lens
As the political slugfest over the Dadri lynching escalated, the Dadri district magistrate in on Monday said a video footage of the remarks made by controversial BJP MLA Sangeet Som is being examined and appropriate action will be taken, PTI reports.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan accused the BJP of “planning and executing” the killing. Worried over the incident having repercussions elsewhere, the Modi government stepped in by fielding some ministers who held out the assurance that the guilty will be punished and minorities protected.
“Whatever he (Som) spoke has been videographed....I have asked legal experts to examine his statement....the statement he made in the village and the statement he made to the mediapersons. If any action is needed to be taken as per law, it will be taken,” Dadri District Magistrate N P Singh said.
The district authorities decided to restrict the entry of visitors to the troubled spot as tension spread to nearby areas after meat pieces were found last evening in Chithera village, which is about five km from Bishada. The Union Home Ministry asked all states to ensure zero tolerance for any attempt to incite communal tension or exploit religious sentiments. As concerns mounted, Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah asserted that whoever is responsible for the Dadri incident will be punished according to law while Union Minister M A Naqvi said, “No destructive agenda will be allowed to dominate government’s focus on development”.
Minister of State in the prime minister’s office, Jitendra Singh said the Modi government was committed to empowerment of minorities with dignity.