JOIN USOpposition parties come together to target PM Modi on communal violence
Leaders of 13 Opposition parties on Saturday expressed "extreme anguish" over the recent incidents of hate speech and communal violence in the country and urged people to "maintain peace and foil the sinister objective of those who wish to sharpen communal polarisation".
The joint statement by the leaders said they were "extremely concerned with the growing incidents of hate speech in the country by people, who appear to have official patronage and against whom no meaningful and strong action" is being taken.
"We are extremely anguished at the manner in which issues related to food, dress, faith, festivals and language are being deliberately used by sections of the ruling establishment to polarise our society," they said.
The statement was signed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin and Hemant Soren, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, his CPI counterpart D Raja, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, RSP's Manoj Bhattacharya, Forward Bloc's Debabrata Biswas, CPI-ML(L)'s Dipanker Bhattacharya and Muslim League's P K Kunhalikutty.
"We are shocked at the silence of the Prime Minister, who has failed to speak against the words and actions of those who propagate bigotry and those who, by their words and actions, incite and provoke our society," the leaders said.
Strongly condemning the recent "outburst of communal violence witnessed across several states", they said they were "deeply concerned", as reports indicate that there is a "sinister pattern" in the areas where these incidents have occurred. Incendiary hate speeches preceded the aggressive armed religious processions unleashing communal violence, the leaders said.
They also expressed concern over the manner in which social media and audio-visual platforms were being "misused with official patronage" to spread hatred and prejudice.
"We reiterate our collective resolve to work together to strengthen the bonds of social harmony that have defined and enriched India for centuries. We reiterate our commitment to combat and confront the poisonous ideologies which are attempting to entrench divisiveness in our society. We reiterate our firm conviction that our country will prosper only if it respects, accommodates and celebrates its many diversities in full measure," they said.
"We appeal to all sections of the people to maintain peace and foil the sinister objective of those who wish to sharpen communal polarisation. We call upon all our party units across the country to independently and jointly work for maintaining peace and harmony," the leaders added.
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