Uttar Pradesh clash: End politics of hatred, says Rahul Gandhi; Congress slams BJP

NEW DELHI: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today called for an end to the "politics of hatred" in the country as communal tension flared up in Uttar Pradesh while his party accused BJP of carrying out "pre-planned communal polarisation".

"I am deeply saddened to hear of clashes in Saharanpur. Violence, divisiveness and hatred have no place in our country. This politics of hatred must end. I appeal to every one to remain calm and refrain from fanning communal passions," Gandhi said in a statement here.

Two persons were killed and at least 12 others injured in a violent clash which broke out between two communities over a land dispute in UP's Saharanpur, prompting authorities to impose curfew in the district.

Congress hit out at BJP over the clashes in UP with party spokesperson Anand Sharma saying, "There is an attempt of communal polarisation in the country in a pre-planned manner. BJP was saying different things during the election campaign, but they brought communal politics in a very subtle way. Now, it is brazen.

"In the little over two months that they have been in power, the country has seen flare-ups, tensions, destruction of places of worship, not only in UP but in different parts of the country. The right has now assumed a threatening posture which militates against our composite culture and secular fabric."

Stating that "religion cannot be used to create polarisation", Sharma said that Congress does not promote communal politics and respects all religions.

UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today directed senior state home department officials to handle with a firm hand the situation in Saharanpur and in Moradabad, where Congress, BJP and VHP had planned political meetings today.