CPI: Unfortunate that PM didn't 'unequivocally condemn' beef

Narendra Modi's remarks in the wake of the Dadri lynching do not "unequivocally condemn" the episode, CPI today said while charging that the prime minister still keeps in his Cabinet those making "provocative statements", an apparent reference to controversial comments by some BJP leaders.
The Left party said it "feels that though Modi has finally broken his silence on lynching of Mohammed Iqlakh, it is quite unfortunate he has not come out unequivocally condemning the act of barbarism".
In a statement here, CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy that the nation had expected that Modi would be "forthright" in his condemnation of the killing and "reprimand" those leaders from BJP who had made controversial statements over the attack.

"Instead, he wanted people to ignore provocative and venomous statements by people occupying responsible positions. He continues to keep them in the Cabinet. How will the people take his statement seriously?" Reddy said.
In an apparent reference to Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who had termed the lynching an "accident", fuelling a row, the CPI leader said that as the prime minister of "democratic and secular" India, Modi should take action over such instances.
"Modi has added a new dimension, which is equally dangerous, by terming the unfortunate attack on a minority community person a result of the fight between two religious communities -- Hindus and Muslims. It is a communal clash," Reddy claimed.

He alleged that the entire episode was a "conspiracy" by BJP-RSS to create polarisation so that NDA can win power in poll-bound Bihar.
Condemning the alleged hooliganism and physical assault of Engineer Rashid by BJP MLAs inside Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over a beef party organised by the legislator, Reddy said the incident represented a "new low".