Dadri lynching: Mahesh Sharma rejects calls for resignation

NEW DELHI: Under fire from rival parties for terming the Dadri lynching incident as "accident", Union Minister Mahesh Sharma today rejected calls for his removal, describing them as politically motivated and said only the Prime Minister could ask for his resignation.

"Those calling for my resignation are indulging in politics. An accident had occurred, I repeat. A question is being asked repeatedly that whether it was an accident (hadsa) or a thought-out conspiracy. I want to tell all who want to spread communalism or do politics that people have been living in that village amicably for 70 years," he said.

Sharma, the MP from Gautam Budh Nagar, under which Dadri falls, was responding to Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav's demand for his resignation after he dubbed the killing of Mohammed Iqlakh by a lynch mob over allegations of consuming beef on Monday night as an accident.

He said the mosque in Dadri's Bishada village, the scene of the crime, had been built through contributions from all sections of residents. Sharma said he had visited the village and people there have pledged to support and protect the Muslim families.

"I am not demanding anybody's resignation and regarding me the Prime Minister can ask for my resignation and not others," Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, said.

Asked about AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi's visit to Bishada, Sharma said "He went there to do politics, which he did and came back."

Asked about Iqlakh's injured son Danish, who is admitted to his hospital in Noida, Sharma said there was improvement in his condition but he continues to be critical. The Minister said Danish was being treated at his hospital for free.