Yechury to RS Prasad: Sanctity is not charity

Sanctity to Muslims is not charity, Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury reminded Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday.

Union Minister for Law and Justice and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad stoked controversy on Friday by saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had given sanctity to Muslims who don't vote for the BJP.

Talking to ANI here, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Yechury wondered: "What do you mean by sanctity? Is the law minister doing charity by giving sanctity?"

He said the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or atheists like me are all Indian citizens.

"The sanctity is provided by the Indian constitution. It is not charity of any minister. Let them not talk in these terms because there is very unbecoming of being a minister," said Yechury.

While addressing a function in New Delhi, Prasad said that the BJP, which is ruling the country and has its own 13 chief ministers, didn't victimise any Muslim despite knowing they don't vote for BJP.

"Have we victimised any Muslim gentleman working in industry or service? Have we dismissed them? We don't get Muslim votes. I acknowledge very clearly, but have we given them proper sanctity or not?" Prasad told the gathering.