Congress questions PM Narendra Modi's silence on 'gau goondagardi'

NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday said Sangh outfits have launched "goondagardi" in the name of "gauraksha", asking why was Prime Minister Narendra Modi silent on repeated attacks on Dalits and Muslims.

Attacking BJP for the assault on two women from the minority community for allegedly carrying beef, AICC spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi asked if the spurt in such aggression was a result of the government's support for "parivar outfits" with an understanding that authorities would ignore their crimes.

Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh said anti-social elements, with saffron bands around their neck, were extorting money from trucks (carrying cattle) in the name of "gauraksha" across India. He asked why wasn't police acting against them.

Singhvi asked if Modi had decided that from "poor to Dalits to minorities, all would be tortured and the government would close its eyes". "This was not happening a few years ago. It has only started in last two-three years," he noted.

Singhvi said, "The PM's silence on these issues has made us speechless. Do we have to transpose him to a rally for his eloquence to return? Is his eloquence only for the haves and not for poor, Dalits and minorities."

Singhvi said it has now been established that the cow for which Dalits were assaulted in Gujarat was killed by a lion."The so-called forward class will not touch its carcass. The Dalits are forced to clear the carcass and when they do so, they are mercilessly beaten up," he said.