CPI(M) today alleged that the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recent spate of incidents involving assaults on Dalits is a "sort of protection" he is "offering" to the attackers.
Referring to the incident in Una in Gujarat in which some Dalit youths were attacked for allegedly skinning a dead cow, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury likened the "gau raksha business" to vigilantism and asked Modi to ensure that the law of the land prevails.
"The country has been asking the Prime Minister to give an assurance in Parliament that the law of the land will be protected against hate speeches and this sort of vigilantism.
"...But it is sad that it has been over two years (since NDA came to power) and not once the Prime Minister said this point either in Parliament or outside. Now, we think, that it is a sort of protection being given to all these groups to continue what they are doing," Yechury said while speaking to mediapersons at Indian Women Press Corps here.
To a question on some states implementing cow protection laws, the Marxist leader said the act is meant to protect the animals and "not kill human beings".
"Those who are attacking people are violating the existing laws and action should be taken in accordance with the existing law. That's all," he added.
