On a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a speech in Ahmedabad, spoke out against cow vigilantism and the recent killings, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailed among the community.
“Some forces” wanted an “agenda of destruction” to dominate the Centre’s “agenda of development” and action was being taken against them, he said on Thursday.
He added, however, that such incidents [recent killings] cannot be justified and appropriate action would be taken against the perpetrators. The government was committed to its development plank.
“I do not think there is fear or insecurity among the minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way is it justified. Action should be taken in accordance with the law against them,” he said. His response comes in the backdrop of a 17-year-old boy being stabbed to death as he was returning home to Khandawli village in Ballabgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi on June 22.
MPs walk out in protest
At a meeting of the parliamentary panel on minority affairs later on Thursday, six members walked out in protest after Mr. Naqvi “refused” to condemn the recent killings.
Those who walked out were JD(U) MP Ali Anwar Ansari Ansari, E.T. Mohammed Basheer from Muslim League, Idris Ali from Trinamool Congress, Joy Abraham from Kerala Congress and M.I. Shanavas and Mausam Noor from the Congress.
(With PTI inputs)
