The opposition in Uttar Pradesh has reacted strongly to reports of a state legislators' undertaking a study tour abroad when knowing fully well that their state was in the throes of communal disturbance.
Last year, forty-five people died in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh and surrounding areas after clashes erupted between minority Muslims and majority Hindu Jats.
Over 20 Uttar Pradesh legislators would be leaving on Wednesday on a tour of five countries spread over 20 days.
The legislators would travel to Turkey, Greece, UK, UAE and The Netherlands.
The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) criticised the development, saying that it was indicative of the state government's insensitivity to the prevailing situation in the region.
"Instead of applying balm to the wounds of the kin of victims who died in the riots,the Uttar Pradesh government is spraying salt and chilly. They have exceeded all limits of shame. On the one hand, such incidents are occurring while on the other hand, they are celebrating festivals and organising study tours. What kind of study do they want to do?" said BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
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Former Samajwadi party leader Shahid Siddiqui said: "People cannot understand what are they (the ruling Samajwadi party of Uttar Pradesh) doing under the power of politics. They are organising dance parties in Safai, putting allegations on riots victims and now those leaders are going to tour five different countries, visit Europe, shop in Dubai- have fun for twenty days, whereas people are dying and children are reeling under the shivering cold in Uttar Pradesh."
The Congress Party, however, supported the study tour concept, but said the timing was wrong.
"I am not against a foreign tour, but it does not mean that even when there is crisis in the state, you go on a tour abroad. So, if they want to learn something by visiting other countries, then I am in favour of it," said Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh.