Ruling BJP and opposition Congress today clashed in Lok Sabha over communal riots in the country with both parties accusing each other of pursuing a divisive agenda and questioning secular credentials.
Initiating the discussion on 'Need for more effective mechanisms to deal with communal violence', Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that over 600 riots had taken place in various parts of the country in two months after Narendra Modi government came to power.
Amid strong protests by ruling benches, he suggested that BJP and its affiliates were trying to "divide the society" to retain power and warned that if it was not controlled, "we will repent".
Naming VHP and Bajrang Dal and referring to certain comments made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Kharge said the "communal forces" had got emboldened after BJP came to power as they feel that they have "political power" now and would be protected.
"We talk about uniting the society, you talk about dividing the society. You divide the society on the basis of religion and implant your principles on suppressed sections like minorities so that they remain away from power," the Congress leader told BJP.
Asking BJP not to "incite" riots, he questioned why the communal violence was taking place in states going to polls like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
He said while BJP was accusing Congress of indulging in "vote bank politics", the truth was the other way round.
Hitting back at Congress, BJP leader Yogi Adityanath said, "You claim you are secular but the agenda you implement is communal."
The House took up a debate on the communal violence nearly a week after Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi led his party members into the Well to demand urgent debate on the issue.
