HM Rajnath Singh distances BJP from controversial comments of party leaders

PATNA: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today distanced the BJP from controversial statements made by some of its leaders in the wake of lynching of a Muslim man in Dadri saying such comments should not be considered as party's views.

"Such comments should not be considered as party view. Efforts should be made by everyone to exercise restraint," Singh, a senior BJP leader, said when asked about "inflammatory" statements allegedly made by some party leaders.

Describing the lynching of the man in Dadri over allegation of cow slaughter as unfortunate, the Home Minister asked all political parties to do their best for maintaining communal harmony and not to do anything that vitiate the atmosphere in the society.

"It was an unfortunate incident. It should not have happened. It is the responsibility of every political party to do their best for maintaining social harmony, communal harmony. No one should do anything that vitiate the atmosphere," he told NDTV.

Singh said law and order is a state subject and all state governments must ensure that law and order is maintained and communal harmony is maintained.

BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Som had said recently that "befitting reply" would be given if innocents are framed for the Dadri incident.

An outfit floated by BJP MP Yogi Adityanath had offered all possible help "including guns" to the Hindus of Bishada village, as it alleged that they were being hounded following the lynching of Mohammed Iqlakh.

Asked to comment on the statement made by RJD chief Lalu Prasad on beef controversy, the Home Minister said election is a festival of democracy where issues like caste and religion should not come.

"Such statements should not have made. It was unnecessary. It was an attempt to divert people's attention from real issues. Election is a festival of democracy where issues like caste and religion should not come," he said.

52-year-old Mohammed Iqlakh was lynched and his son Danish was seriously injured when a mob attacked them alleging slaughtering of a cow at Bishada village in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh on September 28-19 night.