Congress and other Opposition parties today accused Sangh parivar outfits, including VHP and Bajrang Dal, of "inciting" communal violence in the country to "polarise" the society, a charge stoutly rejected by the ruling BJP with counter allegations.
Congress alleged that since the Narendra Modi government took over two months back, 600 riots had taken place in various parts of the country, particularly in the states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, where elections are due.
Initiating the discussion in Lok Sabha on 'Need for more effective mechanisms to deal with communal violence', Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge 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".
Amid strong protests by ruling benches, he said BJP should not "incite" riots and added "Only because you got government does not mean that you will suppress others."
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.
He said while BJP was accusing Congress of indulging in "vote bank politics", the truth was the other way round.
"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.
Mohammad Salim (CPI-M) said there has been spurt in communal violence in the last two months and said that instead of provocating communal violence, lawmakers should try to restrain them.
In an apparent reference to BJP, he said people think they are "thekedar (contractor)" of a particular religion, but such feelings should not exist as it leads to intolerance.
