Home Minister Rajnath Singh with CBI Director Anil Kumar Sinha (left) during the National Conference on Anti Human Trafficking, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photo: V. Sudershan
Strongest possible action will be taken against those who try to disrupt communal harmony in the country, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, days after a >man was lynched in Uttar Pradesh’s Dadri district over beef consumption rumours.
“Be it the State government or the Central government, strongest possible action will be taken against those who try to break communal harmony in the country,” he told reporters.
Mr. Singh had termed the lynching episode “unfortunate” and appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony.
The Home Ministry had, on October 1, sought a >report on the incident from the U.P. government and advised it to ensure that such incidents did not recur.
Concerned over incidents of a communal colour, the Centre had also asked all States to take strictest action against those who attempt to weaken the secular fabric of the nation by exploiting religious sentiments.
In a statement, Home Ministry had said it was concerned over various incidents with communal overtones across the country, including the recent “unfortunate” incident at Dadri.
A look at the key events:
- » In Dadri's Bishara village on September 28, a 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched and his son Danish (22) was brutally beaten up as punishment for allegedly eating beef on Eid and 'storing it' for later consumption.
- » A riot-like situation gripped the sleepy village, a little over 40 km from the bustling sub-city of Noida, near Delhi, on September 29, when their relatives were barred from participating in the funeral procession.
- » It was mutton, said the slain man's mother Asgari Begum.
- » The Uttar Pradesh government on September 30 ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and also announced a compensation of Rs.10 lakh for the family of the victim.
- »Editorial:>No thought for food
- »> Despite prohibitory orders, Dadri gets high-profile visitors
- >
Dadri temple priest detained; Centre seeks report from U.P.
The Centre has also sent an advisory to the State to keep a check on incidents of communal violence.
- >
UP launches probe into killing over beef
As the rumour spread, villagers blocked a highway in Bisrakh area on September 29, demanding death penalty for those involved in the slaughter.
- >
Union Minister Mahesh Sharma terms Dadri killing as 'accident'
He said that no "communal colour" should be given to it, even as the family of the victim is planning to move out of the village fearing that it may happen again.
- >
AAP sought removal of Mahesh Sharma, Kejriwal was stopped from entering Dadri village on October 03
The party demanded removal of Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma for his remarks.
