Dadri lynching: SP, BJP continue sparring match

Fuelling the ongoing controversy over the Dadri murder, controversial BJP MLA Sangeet Som on Sunday attacked Samajwadi Party (SP)-led UP government, alleging it was appeasing the minority community, and that innocent people were being framed for lynching a man over a beef-eating rumour. 

Som, accused of making inflammatory speeches during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, alleged that state government was acting in a biased manner like it did during violence in western UP two years ago and was shielding those who were involved in cow slaughter. He said, “Like they had taken the accused in Muzaffarnagar riots in a plane, they have taken those who have slaughtered <g data-gr-id="30">cow</g> in a plane. Even when a person is killed, they have a different set of rules. Sanjay Rahul Yadav was shot in the <g data-gr-id="28">incident,</g> but is anyone aware. Did the government help him?”

Also on Sunday, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav met the victim Mohammad Akhlaq’s family in Lucknow saying that justice will be delivered, also announcing an assistance of `45 lakh for the family. Yadav also asserted that his party will “never do politics” over such matters even as his government came under intense attack from political opponents following the incident. After a two-hour meeting with family members of Akhlaq, who was lynched and his son seriously injured, Yadav announced raising of the financial assistance to 30 lakh from 20 lakh besides five lakh each to his three brothers. 

“The government is with the family in its time of grief. No one can imagine what they have gone through. I have assured the family that justice will be done and legal action will be taken against the accused,”  he told reporters in Lucknow after meeting Akhlaq’s mother Asgari Begum, brother Mohammed Afzal, and daughter Shaista. 

Meanwhile, the Police have arrested eight persons and have detained a Home Guard for questioning. Police said the constable was detained after the local temple priest stated that the home guard allegedly forced him to make the announcement about a Muslim family allegedly consuming beef. Meanwhile, Congress attacked the BJP and its government at the Centre over the incident and said all progressive-thinking people should stand up against it.

“This is a politico-ideological murder. There are some people who are trying to change the narrative of the country. They want that the minority should be second-grade citizens. The Government wants to dictate what people should eat, wear, how people should talk,” said Congress leader Manish Tewari.