Opposition parties on Friday staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha over recent incidents of atrocities against Dalits, most recently against two Muslim women who were thrashed by cow vigilantes on suspicion of carrying beef in Madhya Pradesh, even as home minister Rajnath Singh promised swift action against the culprits.
Leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised during Zero Hour the issue of beating up of two Muslim women in Madhya Pradesh on beef rumours and slammed the BJP-led state government over the issue.
Kharge’s chargeADVERTISEMENT
“In Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, two Muslim women have been beaten up for allegedly taking beef with them by the Gau Rakshak Dal, and that too in the presence of police. Later the meat was found to be of buffalo,” Mr Kharge said. “Without support of the state government such acts can't happen,” he alleged.
“Everyday atrocities against Dalits are reported, and since this government came to power it has risen, but no action is being taken against the culprits,” Mr Kharge said, citing incidences of atrocities against Dalits. He accused Prime Minister ustiModi of “keeping mum” on incidents of attacks on Dalits.
Home minister Rajnath Singh responded to the opposition, but confined himself to the incident in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. “The Madhya Pradesh government took prompt and effective action in the matter. I assure the House that justice will prevail in this case and the culprits will not be spared,” Mr Singh said.The video of the attack was captured by one of the many spectators and it shows women being kicked, slapped and abused by a mob.
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Opposition leaders however, were not satisfied with the response and led by Congress president Sonia Gandhi walked out of the House. The Left parties, the Trinamool Congress, the Janata Dal-United and the Rashtriya Janata Dal MPs also joined the Congress in staging a walkout.