Opposition parties in Lok Sabha stage walkout over attacks on Dalits by cow vigilantes

Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that without support of the state government such acts can't happen

Opposition parties on Friday staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha over incidents of atrocities against Dalits and the recent thrashing of two Muslim women in Madhya Pradesh by cow vigilantes.

Leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised during Zero Hour the issue of beating up of two Muslim women in Madhya Pradesh on beef rumours and slammed the BJP-led state government over the issue.

"In Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, two Muslim women have been beaten up for allegedly taking beef with them by the Gau Rakshak Dal, and that too in the presence of police. Later the meat was found to be of buffalo," Kharge said.

He alleged that without support of the state government such acts can't happen.

Kharge also raised the issue of atrocities against Dalits, saying it has risen since the Narendra Modi government came to power.

"Everyday atrocities against Dalits are reported, and since this government came to power it has risen, but no action is being taken against the culprits," Kharge said, citing incidences of atrocities against Dalits.

He also took on Prime Minister Modi for "keeping mum" on such issues.

Responding to the matter raised by Kharge, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh confined himself to the Mandsaur incident.

"The Madhya Pradesh government took prompt and effective action in the matter. I assure the House that justice will prevail in this case and the culprits will not be spared," Singh said.

Not satisfied with the government's reply, Congress members led by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Kharge staged a walkout from the Lower House.

The Left, Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal-United and Rashtriya Janata Dal members also joined them and staged a walkout.

Two women were allegedly beaten up by a mob in Mandsaur, around 350 km from state capital Bhopal, by cow vigilantes following a rumour that they had large quantity of beef to sell.

In a video, police was seen making attempts to stop the mob.