Countering the Congress allegations on lynching in BJP-ruled States, Home Minister Rajnath Singh shot back saying the 1984 anti-Sikh riot was, in fact, “biggest” such example of mob-lynching even as he took an indirect dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for starting a “Chipko Movement”, in reference to his hugging-the-PM act earlier.
In an aggressive mood while debating on the no-confidence motion on Friday, the Home Minister said that the Congress Governments’ track records on maintaining law & order was very poor and people have punished them for that.
“The biggest incident of the mob-lynching happened during 1984,” Singh said, referring to the anti-Sikh riot that took place in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31, 1984. The Minister said the Government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and assured that justice would be given to the Sikh community.
Speaking on the lynching incidents, one of the issues cited by the opposition to attack the government, Singh said the Centre will provide all assistance required, but the state governments should take stringent steps to curb such incidents.
Singh reiterated that the no-confidence motion was totally unwarranted. “Against whom are you bringing no-confidenceIJ The appeal of the Prime Minister is such that several people gave up the gas subsidy after he urged them do so. They (the opposition) do not trust each other. And when it comes to talking about the leadership, then ‘gayi bhains paani mein (they lose their steam),” Singh said.
Without naming Rahul Gandhi or pointing to his hugging the Prime Minister, Singh said it seems that Chipko Movement has started in Parliament. He said after the House adjourns, “I would go out and hug Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.”
Singh also blamed Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s ‘Hindu Pakistan’ remark. “Where do they (Congress) want to take the country and what does it want India to become. Here, there is a talk about Hindu Taliban. India is the only country where minorities are prospering. Do they not want such an India,” the Home Minister said.
Singh said the country’s image has grown due to the steps taken by the Prime Minister and India is among the largest world economies and has risen from number 9 to number six over the last four years.
Referring to India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime club in 2016, Singh even China has not been able to become a member of the elite club.
As the Minister spoke, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members started demanding that he should speak on the Andhra issue and created ruckus in the House. When TDP MPs started walking towards Singh, there was an alteraction between them and the members of the BJP.
With the TDP members threatening to sit in the Well, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for 15 minutes.