Political parties play blame game over Muzaffarnagar violence

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Political parties on Thursday blamed one another for the violence in Muzaffarnagar, which claimed at least 38 lives and forced thousands to flee their homes.

Police had to evacuate both Hindu and Muslim villagers on September 9 in Muzaffarnagar, following what most media said was the worst communal violence in years.

The ruling Samajwadi Party (SP)maintained that stringent action would be taken against those found guilty of fuelling the riots.

"The chief minister has clearly said that a communal party is responsible for this violence and strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty in the probe. After this remark, nothing more remains to be said. Right now we are concentrating on the rehabilitation of those displaced and affected in the riots. I don't think this issue should be politicized," said senior SP leader Naresh Agarwal in Lucknow.

"This human tragedy in which thousands have been left homeless, several innocents were killed, all this happened because the ruling Samajwadi Party had communalised the administration," said BJP leader, Balbir Punj in New Delhi.

"Till now no arrest of a legislator or instigator of violence clearly shows that the Samajwadi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are jointly responsible for the Muzaffarnagar riots. This has happened due to their joint conspiracy as now both are defending each other," said BSP leader Swami Prasad Maurya.

Violence between Muslims and Hindus has been a defining feature of Indian politics since the separation of Pakistan in 1947, when hundreds of thousands of people were killed and millions displaced.

Meanwhile, chairman of India's National Commission for Women (NCW), Mamata Sharma also visited the distressed district on Thursday to examine the condition of women.

"The riots have happened, but, we now want to know, what is the condition of the women affected in this violence? Has the government made any proper arrangements for them or not? That is why we have come here. The reason for the riots or was it politically motivated, that is a different issue," said Sharma.

Religion and caste violence plays a central role in politics in Uttar Pradesh, one of India's poorest states with a population larger than that of Russia.

Fanning the tension often brings political gain to parties that claim to protect different religious and caste groups from one another.