Rajnath Singh issues stern warning, says those creating communal tension will not be spared

New Delhi: Strongest possible action will be taken against those who try to disrupt communal harmony in the country, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, days after a man was lynched in UP's Dadri district over beef consumption rumours.

"Be it the state government or the central government, strongest possible action will be taken against those who try to break communal harmony in the country," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi. The Home Minister was replying to a question about tension in Dadri where a Muslim man was lynched by a mob over allegation of beef consumption.

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Iqlakh was attacked by a 200-strong mob at Bishara village after a public announcement by a local temple that the family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat last Monday night.

Singh had on Tuesday termed the lynching episode as "unfortunate" and appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony. "It was an unfortunate incident. I appeal to every citizen to maintain communal harmony, which is everyone's responsibility," Singh had said.

The Home Ministry had on October 1 sought a report on the incident from UP government and advised it to ensure that such incidents did not recur. Concerned over incidents of a communal colour, the Centre had also asked all states to take strictest action against those who attempt to weaken the secular fabric of the nation by exploiting religious sentiments.

In a statement, Home Ministry had said it was concerned over various incidents with communal overtones across the country, including the recent "unfortunate" incident at Dadri.

Earlier, the Centre issued a stern advisory asking all states to ensure “zero tolerance” of any attempt to incite communal tension.

The advisory came after tension spread to nearby areas after pieces of meat were found in an adjoining village. Police was deployed in Chithera, about 5 km from Bishada, after the recovery of meat pieces on Sunday. Dadri DSP Anurag Singh said some persons had planted the meat pieces to create communal disturbance.