BJP irked by 'silence' of rivals on Muzaffarnagar riots order

The BJP on Wednesday questioned the “silence” of other parties on the Supreme Court order which held the UP government prime facie responsible for negligence in preventing the Muzaffarnagar riots, and wondered if they have a different standard for Gujarat versus other states.

Targeting the Congress and other rival parties, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the “self-appointed guardians of secularism are silent on the SC’s verdict against the SP government and it is a matter of deep concern for democracy”.

“Why are self-appointed guardians not asking for the resignation of the UP chief minister? The Centre remained a mute spectator and did not draw on its constitutional powers to warn the UP government or even issue an advisory. The BSP is also silent,” he said.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday held the UP government led by Akhilesh Yadav prima facie responsible for negligence in preventing communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas, but refused to direct a CBI or SIT probe into the case.

Meanwhile, BJP president Rajnath Singh said, “The Modi government’s resignation has often been demanded over the unfortunate Gujarat incidents, but the apex court clearly stated that the violence in Muzaffarnagar was instigated to harm communal harmony.”

Political parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI and CPM had demanded the resignation of Narendra Modi for the 2002 riots in Gujarat, charging that the chief minister did not take immediate action to stop the violence.