Such incidents bad for brand India: FM

Condemning the lynching of a man in <g data-gr-id="36">Bisada</g> village near Dadri town of Uttar Pradesh, bordering the national Capital, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said that “such incidents have hurt the country’s image.” The minister said, “India is a mature society. We need to rise above these kinds of incidents because they certainly don’t give a good name as far as the country is concerned.”

He was replying reporters after a lecture at Columbia University when he was asked to comment on the lynching incident in Dadri which has happened at a time when the Government was aiming to get more foreign investors. “I have also said they can amount to policy diversions in that context so it is the responsibility of every Indian in his actions or comments to stay clear of unfortunate and condemnable instances like this,” said the senior BJP leader.

His cabinet colleague, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh too termed the incident which took place in Dadri to be “unfortunate” and appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony. “It was an unfortunate incident. I appeal to every citizen to maintain communal harmony, which is everyone’s responsibility,” said the minister. He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi to mark the 80th birth anniversary of late farmer leader Mahendra Singh Tikait. “Any threat to the secular fabric of the country will not be tolerated. It is the duty of every citizen to maintain social harmony and I appeal to the people to uphold this,” he added.

Earlier in the day, <g data-gr-id="47">however</g> his party MP Sakshi Maharaj stirred a controversy by saying, “We won’t remain silent if somebody tries to kill our mother. We are ready to kill and get killed. The Uttar Pradesh government’s double standards have been exposed. The way in which the incident is being politicised is condemnable.” Maharaj also called for <g data-gr-id="45">ban</g> of cattle slaughter. “There should be a ban not just on cow slaughter but also other cattle. The cow should be declared national animal. Those slaughtering cows should be hanged,” said Maharaj.

Meanwhile, UP government has sent its report to the Union Home Ministry on the Dadri lynching episode, in which 50-year-old Akhlaq was attacked by a mob following rumours that his family had consumed beef. Akhlaq was attacked by a 200-strong mob at Bishada village after a public announcement by a local temple that the family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat last Monday night.

Home Ministry had on 1 October sought a report on the incident from UP government and advised it to ensure that such incidents did not recur. Concerned over incidents of a communal colour, the Centre had on Monday asked all states to take <g data-gr-id="40">strictest</g> action against those who attempt to weaken the secular fabric of the nation. 

Meanwhile, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on Tuesday said PM Narendra Modi’s emphasis on India being an economy which is trying to get it right does not fit well with incidents like that of love jihad and killings.