ANDALIB AKHTER / NEW DELHI
Memebers of different opposition parties in Rajya Sabha Wednesday accused the ruling BJP and its affiliated organizations for backing cow vigilants leading to mob lynching in the different parts of India.
Initiating the debate, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad attacked the government, saying the rise in these incidents was spreading the message of fear among minorities and Dalits.
Citing recent incidents Mr. Azad hit at the Government saying that it has done nothing towards restoring harmony. He also pointed fingers at BJP and its affiliates for instigating animosity and atrocities against dalits and minorities.
“No state is left… From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, no place is left where no incident has taken place. I am not saying lynchings did not take place in the past. I am not saying Dalits were not treated badly in the past… But when lynchings happened (in the past)… it was the handiwork of one individual, whatever be his religion. But I am sorry to say, you may not like it… but in all the cases of lynching now, someone or the other belonging to the ruling party and the Sangh Parivar is involved,” Azad said:
This is not religious. This is not a battle of religion. This is not Hindu-Muslim. This is not a fight between upper castes and Dalits… This is (Sangh) Parivar’s battle against everybody. They get protection. I know the Prime Minister has given a statement. I accept the Home Minister has given a statement… this is happening because of an understanding. (The understanding is) you do your work and we will do our work. We will give statements but you continue what you are doing. Continue doing it,” he said.
“मेरा अज़्म है इतना बुलंद कि पराए शूलों का डर नहीं
मुझे खौफ है, आतिशे गुल से, कहीं ये चमन को जला न दे।” – said Azad
He assured the treasury benches of opposition’s support in maintaining the integrity of the country, if the government takes firm steps to curb the crime.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury demanded a central law to deal with such incidents. He accused the government of not taking enough steps to check such violence. SP leader Naresh Agrawal also demanded stringent law to check such incidents and covening a meeting Chief Ministers by the Prime Minister over the issue. BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra alleged that such incidents are on the rise in BJP ruled states.
“70 years earlier, we had the pride in the world to say — while no other western democracy could have the courage to say — that from day one, we shall give universal suffrage for everybody in our country. Irrespective of their religious affiliation, irrespective of their caste, irrespective of their gender, we gave universal suffrage, which was a revolutionary step at that point of time, and, its basis was recognition of equality. It is that equality today that is being questioned and is being severely trampled upon through these instances of lynching” Yachuri stressed.
“The narrative today is that marginalised, those who are under-serviced, they are being killed, they are being lynched, and there are atrocities against them. Let me move away from the minorities, the dalits, to see how this Government is also engaging in terrorism against the child. Seventy per cent of those who do not have aadhaar cards today, are children below the age of twelve” said TMC MP DEREK O’BRIEN
Rebutting the opposition criticism, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is equally concerned about the criminal incidents and everyone should speak in one voice to fight against such destructive forces. He said the Centre condemns such incidents adding the states should take stringent action against those involved. He alleged that it is a conspiracy to defame the government and divert its agenda of development.
Centre takes serious cognizance of mob lynching in name of cow protection
Mr. Naqvi said communal amity and harmony is in country’s culture. He said several state governments have taken action against the people committing atrocities against dalits and indulging in violence in the name of cow protection.
Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir affirmed that law and order is a state subject, but Government has taken the matter of lynching by certain mobs very seriously, and that the law is taking its course.
Government has yet again spelt out its tough stance on the incidents of violence in the name of alleged cow vigilantism.
When the opposition raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. MoS Home Hansraj Ahir said law and order situation is a state subject.
The government has said it is taking the issue very seriously and advised the states to lodge FIRs in such cases and bring the perpetrators to book. The minister also said that PM Modi has categorically said to not take law into own hands.
Dissatisfied with government’s reply, members of the Samajwadi Party created ruckus due to which the house had to be adjourned.