BJP creating an atmosphere of hate and crime: CPI(M)

Communist Party of India (Marxist), General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating an atmosphere of fear and crime in the society of electoral gains.

"The BJP not taking action on Unnao and Katua rape case, which confirms that the party patronises the politics of hate and crime which is destroying the social unity of our country," he said, adding, "The BJP is trying to create the situation in Kashmir which is further helping in polarising communities."

Claiming that the BJP is playing the communal card, and propagating political extremism, Yechury said in one of his speeches in the Parliament, he had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not turn India into Pakistan

This comes after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's Hindu Pakistan remark rubbed the BJP the wrong way, while Congress distanced from the remark and said Tharoor made the comment in his personal capacity.

On the issue of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises homosexuality, Yechury said, " We are not entering into moral debates. All we are saying is distinguish between criminal and non-criminals. We welcome the decriminalisation of 377."

The General Secretary of the CPI(M) also announced a protest scheduled in August, by left-trade organisation CITU and Farmers organisations on the issue of unemployment in the country.