Cow vigilantism, hate crimes show state in bad light: Raje

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has admitted that recent crimes, including those by cow vigilantes, against minorities in the state show Rajasthan in a bad light, but stressed that firm action will be taken against those behind the violence.

"The law of the land prevails in Rajasthan, and the government will ensure the culprits are brought to book," she said.

In April, 'gau rakshaks' or cow vigilantes lynched a 55- year-old cattle trader, Pehlu Khan, in Alwar and injured four of his companions. Khan later succumbed to injuries.

A month later, the desert state hit the headlines again when a video showing Sikh men allegedly being thrashed by villagers in Ajmer surfaced.

"Rajasthan cannot be singled out. Such incidents are happening across India. But this

government will not tolerate such crimes as it shows the state in a bad light," Raje said.

The chief minister, who is due to complete her term next year, said, "We do not discriminate among people on any lines.

"Though our government did its part, the Kerala government is yet to speak out on the killings of BJP and RSS workers," said Raje.

The CM said she planned to make development her party's poll plank for the state Assembly elections.

"These factors will be crucial in ensuring our victory in the polls," Raje said, adding that the BJP

government had "inherited discoms crippled by debts running into crores of rupees from the erstwhile Congress government."

Siting an example of the coordination between the Centre and Rajasthan, Raje said, "Rajasthan's road network by 2018 will be of 30,000 km. The state has already constructed 21,000

km of roads since the BJP formed the government in the state."