AMN /
The Congress today tried to corner the government on the issue of rising intolerance in the country alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept silence over it. Participating in discussion in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the country’s greatest strength is tolerance. He lamented that in recent days the peaceful atmosphere has been vitiated by the remarks of many ministers and ruling party MPs. Mr Gandhi said it seems the Prime Minister does not have any control over his cabinet colleagues.
Mr Gandhi appealed to the Prime minister to listen to the voices of writers, historians and scientists those who have returned their awards in protest of intolerance. He also took on the Gujarat state government for imposing sedition charges against the Patel community, who agitated for reservation.
Earlier, BJP MP Kiron Kher said there is no intolerant situation in the country. Intervening in the discussion Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition of tarnishing the image of the country in the name of so called intolerance. He said, the BJP being in opposition in the past never tried to vitiate the atmosphere of the country and discharged its role as a constructive opposition. Mr Rijju said the opposition should accept the mandate given to the Narendra Modi led government and cooperate to run the country .