Dismissing charges of intolerance in the country, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asserted that as against internal sectarian strife prevailing in several Islamic countries, India was home to “Sufi Islam” and all other streams of the religion which were safe and prospering in harmony.
Responding to the debate on ‘intolerance’ in the country, the Home Minister announced in the lok Sabha that anyone trying to disturb harmony will not be spared even as he expressed his readiness to order CBI probe into incidents like Dadri and Kalburgi murder if such requests were sent to him by the respective State Governments.
While concluding his address where he claimed that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP who were the target of “intolerance”, he appealed to the writers, artistes and scientists, who have returned their awards, to take them back saying he was willing to discuss their apprehensions and suggestions.
In the middle of his speech, Opposition parties protested saying the BJP leader was not addressing the incidents of intolerance during 2015 under the Modi Government. later, the TMC, the Congress and the NCP, among others, staged a walkout from the House.
The Home Minister read Press reports and quoted foreign tourists — including those from Kazakistan and Saudi Arabia — praising internal-communal harmony in India. Rajnath said projecting India as a place not fit for living will only hurt the country’s image and prevent foreign investment.
“I want to assure this House, on behalf of myself and the Prime Minister, that if anyone tries to harm the social and religious harmony, he will not be spared,” he said.
To questions by the Opposition why Modi had not spoken on the untoward incidents, Rajnath countered by asking whether any of the previous Prime Ministers had ever commented on such incidents in the past. The Home Minister said internal security is his responsibility and he had always spoken on such incidents.
He said the Centre is still ready for a CBI probe into the lynching of a Muslim man in Dadri even though the Uttar Pradesh Government has not yet recommended it so far. Similarly, he said, if the Karnataka Government wants a CBI probe into the murder of writer MM Kalburgi, the Centre was ready to order it. He noted that the case was at present being investigated by the Karnataka CID.
Contending that “manufactured allegations” are being levelled against the Government on intolerance, the Home Minister said, he was ready to engage in dialogue to do way the misgivings in this respect.
He said among the 39 people who had returned their awards, a few had made a statement before the 2014 lok Sabha polls that a person like Modi cannot and should not lead the country. “This is called intolerance,” Singh said.
“One of them even said that Modi is a fascist,” he said, adding people should respect the verdict of the people then only they would be called tolerant.
Referring to the walkout of the Opposition parties including the Congress, the TMC and left parties, he said they do not have the “tolerance” to listen to his response to their views even when he patiently heard each and every speaker.