Published On : Wed, Jan 3rd, 2018

Bhima-Koregaon Violence in LS: Kharge Calls PM Modi ‘Mauni Baba’

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New Delhi: The issue of violence Dalit and Maratha groups in Pune’s Bhima-Koregaon which spilled over to other parts of Maharashtra reverberated in Parliament on Wednesday with the Congress leading the Opposition’s charge against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Raising the issue in Lok Sabha, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of instigating caste war in Maharashtra. Kharge said the violence in Pune on January 1 was triggered RSS men.

“Who instigated and interfered in this event? Samaaj mein division karne ke liye, kattar Hindutvavaadi, jo wahan RSS ke log hain…iske peecha unka haath hai. Unhone ye kaam karwaya hai (They are working to divide the society on caste lines. The violence was handiwork of RSS people),” Kharge said while demanding an inquiry into the incident by a Supreme Court judge.

Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the issue, Kharge demanded that the PM should give a statement on the floor of the House. “PM should also give a statement, he can’t stay mum. He is a ‘Mauni baba’ on such issues,” Kharge added triggering a sharp reaction from the treasury benches.

BJP Hits Back

Responding to the Congress’ charge, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said it was the Congress which specialises in the policy of divide and rule.

“Congress divide and rule ki policy use kar rahi hain. Aur Sabka saath sabka vikaas karke Narendra Modi ji desh ko saath le rahe hain (While the Congress is using the policy of divide and rule, PM Modi is bringing the country together with his Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas motto),” Ananth Kumar said.

“Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye, bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega (At a time when Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party should have been working to diffuse the tension, they are working to add fuel to fire,” he added.