New Delhi: Refuting the Opposition’s claims of rising atrocities against Dalits in the country, Union minister for home affairs Rajnath Singh called upon the state governments to come down heavily against those who indulge in violence in the name of cow protection or anything else.
His remarks came against the backdrop of a section of the Opposition seeking ban on outfits spearheading violence against Dalits in the name of cow protection.
“Some anti-social elements are indulging in nefarious activities in the name of cow protection. I appeal to all state governments to take strict action against them. To deal with the perverted mindset of those who resort to such atrocities is a big challenge,” said Mr Singh.
He added that the number of registered cases of atrocities against Dalits were 39,346 in 2013, 40,300 in 2014 and 38,564 in 2015. “We have to accept the truth that the atrocities against Dalits are going on. We have to stop it and this is a challenge for all of us,” Mr Singh said.
Countering the charge that the Prime Minister was too late to make a statement on the issue, and that he did it out of the House, Mr Singh said: “Did PMs since 1947 speak on each and every issue. The Prime Minister may speak or may not speak, but his aura should be such that action is taken against the perpetrators,” he added.
Trinamul’s MP Saugata Roy sought a ban on VHP for spearheading the campaign for cow protection. He also took exception to Mr Modi’s statement earlier mentioning Dalits but not speaking of Muslims “who too are facing violence by the cow vigilantes”.
