The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused each other in the Lok Sabha of indulging in "communal politics" even as other members wanted to know from the Government whether it subscribed to the Sangh Parivar’s view that all citizens of India are Hindus.
Since the discussion on "communal violence" could not be wrapped up this evening, the Government is scheduled to reply on Thursday. The issue was taken up for discussion this afternoon after the Congress protested in the morning over the delay in slotting it despite being listed in the business for three days running.
And even after the Speaker agreed to discuss the issue soon after the passage of the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, the issue forced an adjournment as neither the Home Minister nor the Minister of State for Home was in the House when Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge was called to initiate the discussion. Their absence was cited by the Congress as testimony to the fact that the Government was not taking the issue seriously.
Meerut (20-year-old raped, forced to convert to Islam)
| Across country | 149 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 32 |
| Maharashtra | 26 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 17 |
Saharanpur (land dispute) 3 killed; 38 injured;
Moradabad (tension over removal of temple loudspeaker)
Muzaffarnagar 60 Killed;90 injured; 50,000 displaced
| Across country | 823 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 247 |
| Maharashtra | 88 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 84 |
| Gujarat | 68 |
| Karnataka | 73 |
In response, the BJP fielded Yogi Adityanath who said the Hindu faith had opened its arms to all faiths but was under threat in its own land. ``There is a conspiracy against Hinduism,’’ he said; adding that tears were shed by the Congress and those who call themselves secular over the attacks on minorities but not when Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave their native place.
While Communist Party of India (Marxist) member Mohd. Salim said an attempt was being made to impose majoritarian opinion on the country, Nationalist Congress Party leader Tariq Anwar said given the apprehension that minorities have about the BJP, it was important that the Government set them at rest by dealing with all people with an even hand.
Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) wanted to know if the Government would keep as much of an eye on Hindu fundamentalist organisations as it did on Muslim organisations with extremist ideologies. He also wanted to know whether the Government thought all citizens of India are Hindus. ``If so, then change the Constitution,’’ he said while PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti sought to remind Yogi Adityanath that both Hindus and Muslims were killed in the violence in Kashmir.
