Congress takes Modi Govt. to task over US rebuke on 'rising intolerance'

With the United States expressing concern over reports of "rising intolerance and violence" in India, the Congress party hit out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, saying that since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the Centre, there is a steep increase of atrocities against minorities and women.

"Since the Modi government has come in power, we have seen a steep increase in the cases of atrocities against minorities, dalits, tribals, OBCs and women. This government has totally failed to curb atrocity," Congress leader Shobha Oza told ANI here.

Asserting that there is no fear of law now, she added that most of the organisations related to RSS, BJP have taken law into their own hands with issues related to cow slaughter, ghar wapsi, love jehad and many other issues.

"This government came to power on the plank of development, but it seems to be pursuing its hidden agenda," Oza added.

Earlier, the US called on the Indian government to do "everything in its power" to protect its citizens, expressing concern over reports of "rising intolerance and violence" in the country.

"We stand in solidarity with the people and government of India in supporting exercise of freedom of religion and expression and in confronting all forms of intolerance," US state department spokesperson John Kirby said.

Recently, two Muslim women in Madhya Pradesh were thrashed by cow protection vigilantes on the suspicion of carrying beef, which was revealed to be buffalo meat on forensic examination.

A few days earlier, four Dalit youths were tied up and thrashed allegedly for skinning a dead cow, which resulted in widespread protests by the Dalit community in Gujarat.