Breaking silence not enough, act against ministers: Congress tells PM Modi

The Congress Party on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate action against his Cabinet colleagues for their uncalled for comments on the Dadri lynching incident.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi, who was reacting to Prime Minister Modi's remark apparently referring to the Dadri case during an election rally in Nawada, Bihar, yesterday, said merely breaking silence on the untoward incident is not enough.

"He is the Prime Minister of the country, he should act against his ministers who irresponsibly commented on the unfortunate incident of Dadri," Alvi told ANI.

"Would he sack Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma from his Cabinet? Would he initiate any action against the MP of Gorakhpur who also commented irresponsibly on the Dadri lynching case?" he asked.

The Congress leader further said the latest remarks made by the leaders of the ruling party on the Dadri case was a ploy by the ruling dispensation at the Centre.

"This is their policy, that the ministers keep disturbing the atmosphere and the Prime Minister keeps commenting so that everything looks normal," he added.

In an apparent reference to the Dadri lynching incident, Prime Minister Modi had yesterday urged all not to make irresponsible statements for petty gains.

"I have said it earlier too. Hindus should decide whether to fight Muslims or poverty. Muslims have to decide whether to fight Hindus or poverty. Both need to fight poverty together. The country has to stay united, only communal harmony and brotherhood will take the nation forward. People should ignore controversial statements made by politicians, as they are doing so for political gains," he said while referring to President Pranab Mukherjee's statement to drive home his point.