Govt to take action against those 'spoiling communal amity': UP minister

The comment was made taking strong exception to VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi's controversial statement on 'love jihad'

Taking strong exception to VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi's controversial statement on 'love jihad', UP minister Ramgovind Chaudhary today said action will be taken against those trying to spoil communal amity.

"No one will be allowed to disturb communal harmony of the state and taking cognisance of the controversial statement of Sadhvi Prachi action will be initiated for spoiling communal amity and brotherhood", Chaudhary told newspersons on the sidelines of a function here.

The UP primary education minister said BJP and VHP leaders are making such statements "out of frustration to remain in news" and harm the image of the popular chief minister of Uttar Pradesh who is doing a lot of good work.

"The BJP and VHP leaders are issuing such statements under a conspiracy to spoil the image of the state government through which they also get coverage in the media as they do not get publicity otherwise", he claimed.

The minister also took a dig at BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj over his statements targeting a community and said such leaders who are issuing them should first practice what they are preaching.

Saffron robe leader Sadhvi Prachi had on Monday courted controversy with her inflammatory remarks on the issue of "love jihad" and defended her statement that Hindu women should have four children.

"A campaign is being run to trap Hindu girls in the name of love," she had said even as she supported VHP's "ghar-wapsi" (home-coming) programme on reconversion.