– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi, Sep 2: In light of what he described as “continuous attacks” on minorities, particularly Muslims, Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday demanded the strictest action against the “anarchist elements” responsible for these crimes. He also accused the BJP government of being a “mute spectator” to the ongoing violence against minorities.
Gandhi criticised the government for allowing such “anarchist elements” to operate without restraint and called for immediate and firm action against those involved.
His remarks came in the wake of two separate incidents of mob violence in BJP-ruled states, Maharashtra and Haryana.
On August 27, a Muslim immigrant from West Bengal was brutally beaten to death in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, allegedly by cow vigilantes who suspected him of consuming meat. Another individual sustained injuries during the attack.
In another incident, an elderly man in Maharashtra was harassed and physically assaulted on a train under the suspicion that he was carrying beef. He was on his way to Kalyan at the time.
Gandhi shared screenshots and videos of these incidents, which have gone viral on social media, stating that those who have come to power by exploiting hatred as a political weapon are perpetuating a climate of fear in the country.
“The hateful elements hiding in the form of the mob are openly spreading violence, challenging the rule of law. These miscreants have been emboldened by the BJP government, which is why they have developed the courage to act in this manner,” the former Congress president said in a post on X.
“There are continuous attacks on minorities, especially Muslims, and the government machinery is watching as a ‘mute spectator’,” he added.
Gandhi further stated that the strongest measures should be taken against these “anarchist elements” to uphold the rule of law.
“Any attack on the communal unity of India and the rights of Indians is an attack on the Constitution, which we will not tolerate at all,” the Congress leader asserted.
“No matter how much the BJP tries, we will win this historic battle to unite India against hatred at any cost,” Gandhi concluded.
