Opposition, NDA MPs spar over lynching in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha saw a heated debate on cow vigilantism and lynching on Monday, with the Opposition accusing the Centre of complicity and the treasury benches accusing the Opposition of ‘enacting a drama’ in the name of secularism.

Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the NDA government was against minorities, Dalits and women. He alleged that the PM only spoke against cow vigilantism but had not taken any action.

“He says something and does something else,” Kharge alleged. He furnished data to allege that such incidents took place in states where BJP was in power and accused VHP and Bajrang Dal of involvement in such cases.

Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said action had been taken against ‘hooliganism’ in the name of cow protection. Countering Kharge's charges, BJP leader Hukumdev Narayan Yadav slammed the Opposition for targeting the Centre over lynchings. “Some people are indulging in terror activities to defame the government. They are questioning our intentions. It is wrong,” he said.

Yadav raised the killing of RSS workers in Kerala and that of a police officer in Kashmir and asked whether they were not mob violence. He quoted BJP ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay to say most Indian Muslims were Hindu descendants and hence both communities should live peacefully. He said those who follow “economic development and nationalism” will come out victorious.He also cited a recent case when a political leader sought support from Naxals. “There cannot be bigger lynching than this,” the BJP member said.

Trinamool leader Saugata Ray said violence in the name of cow protection was actually targeted killing.