Amid uproar over lynching of a Muslim man in Jharkhand, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the country was with him in the fight for “Sabka saath sabka vikas” but the idea should exist for the people to see it.
Tabrez Ansari, 22, died in a hospital on Sunday, days after he was brutally thrashed by a mob at Dhatkidih village in Seraikela district on suspicion of stealing a bike. According to the police, a stolen motorcycle and some other things were also recovered from him.
The incident came to light after a video went viral in which Mandal was seen beating Ansari, who was tied to a tree.
Azad said that Jharkhand had become a “factory of lynching and violence with Dalits and Muslims getting killed every week”.
In a taunting tone, he further requested Modi to keep the “New India” to himself and give the people “Old India where there was love and mutual respect”.
Azad said there was a time when Hindus used to feel the pain when Muslims and Dalits got hurt and vice versa.
“In Old India, there was no hatred, anger or lynching. New India is one where humans are enemies of each other. You won’t be scared of animals in a jungle but you will be scared of humans in a colony. Give us the India where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians live for each other,” Ghulam Nabi Azad said in Rajya Sabha.
Earlier in the day, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi blamed the ruling BJP and RSS of spreading and increasing hatred and dislike against the Muslim community.
He also charged the two of successfully creating a negative image of Muslims in the country.
Meanwhile, the main accused in the lynching case, one Pappu Mandal and four others have been arrested by Jharkhand police. Two policemen have also been suspended, according to reports.
According to police sources, initially, Ansari tried to save himself by calling himself “Sonu”. However, he was forced to reveal his real name after the mob asked him to chant “Jai Sri Ram”.
After the thrashing, the mob handed him over to the police, which took him to a police post. However, he had to be admitted to a hospital after his condition worsened and he died at the hospital on Sunday.
Ansari’s wife has questioned the role of the police in her husband’s death alleging that he was not given timely medical treatment. Political parties have condemned the incident.