Major crisis of extremism has emerged: Pawar on Bulandshahr violence

Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar Friday attacked the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh over the Bulandshahr violence and said the incident underscored a "major problem of extremism", which needed to be faced firmly.

Pawar accused the Adityanath government of defending "slaughtering" of minorities, and said other sections of the society need to remain alert now.

A mob of around 400 people, including right-wing activists, fought pitched battles with police on December 3 in Siana area of Bulandshahr district, apparently after the activists were angered by the discovery of cow carcasses strewn in a nearby jungle.

They set on fire dozens of vehicles, hurled stones and also fired guns at police who retaliated with gunfire. In the violence, Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, the station house officer of Siana, and 20-year-old Sumit Kumar were killed.

"It is clear that the government under Yogi's leadership, taking law into its hands, is defending slaughtering of minorities. Time has come for other sections of the society to remain alert," he said.

Pawar made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in which a former MLC Apurva Hiray returned to the NCP from the ruling BJP in his presence.

"A major crisis of extremism has emerged through this and hence it is to be condemned. But mere condemnation is not going to suffice, it needs to be faced firmly," he added.

The former Union minister also said that the poll promises made by the BJP remain unfulfilled and therefore such situations were "created" to divert the attention of the people.