In an attempt to steer clear of the controversy over the recent Dadri incident, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre could not intervene directly in law and order situation as it was a State subject and it was the responsibility of the State to deal with it effectively.
“The Constitution of India has made it amply clear that State should take effective steps towards improving law and order. The Centre can support the State if the situation spirals out of hand which it has always done,” Singh said at a function in lucknow on Friday.
Singh said during the incidents at Dadri and Varanasi, the Home Ministry had sought reports from the State Government to understand the ground reality. This was done to assess whether the State needed any support from the Centre or not. “This is a process which we undertake regularly and in cases, we even issue advisory to the State,” he said.
The Union Home Minister said the NDA Government was serious on checking cow smuggling to Bangladesh. “Before the NDA came to power, over 13 lakh cows used to be rustled to Bangladesh illegally. In the last few months, this figure has come down drastically. The result of India’s alacrity has led to spike in beef prices in Bangladesh,” he claimed.
When his attention was drawn towards Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statement that the beef row was the handiwork of some who wanted to whip up communal hatred, Singh said some people might have tried to accentuate the problem.
The Minister, however, defended his colleagues claiming that BJP leaders never indulged in anti-social activities as charged by SP chief Mulayam Sing Yadav.
“This should not be done. Hindus and Muslims live peacefully in India and this is a healthy sign for us. Efforts should be made to ensure communal amity and brotherhood...this is the primary and moral duty of all political parties.”
Singh said a strategy was being made to address the problems of the Central para-military forces in NE States. He also said efforts were being made to bring the Naxalites and other dissenters into the main stream, but the Government will not allow violence in any condition.