MUMBAI: Condemning the alleged lynching of a Muslim man in Nagpur on suspicion of carrying beef, the Shiv Sena on Thursday said attacks by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes shift focus from the ineffectiveness of the Narendra Modi government-led Centre.
Salim Ismail Sheikh (31), of Katol in Nagpur was allegedly beaten up in the Bharsingi areaon Wednesday by a four-member gang. Four persons, all of whom belong to the “Prahar” organisation, have been arrested said police. Prahar is a non-governmental organisation having special consultative status in the Economic and Social Council to the United Nations since 2014.
Along with ally Shiv Sena, opposition Congress and the NCP too came down heavily on the BJP. The BJP, however, tried to downplay the incident, denying a law and order situation in Maharashtra.
The Shiv Sena also targeted chief minister Devendra Fadnavis saying that it is high time state gets a “full time” home minister.
Devendra Fadnavis had been in charge of the home department since the formation of the government.
“People being lynched over suspicion of carrying beef had started in UP and it has now spilled over to this progressive state. To make matters worse, this incident has happened in the heartland of the RSS. If this continues, there will be chaos in the nation,” said Shiv Sena spokesperson Dr Manisha Kayande.
“How can it be that the PM warns gau rakshaks but they ignore him? We are of the view that there is an ulterior motive behind this. Attempts are being made to shift focus from the ineffectiveness of the Narendra Modi government in responding to the terrorists who killed the Amarnath yatris,” she added.
State Congress President Ashok Chavan said that his party will raise the lynching issue in the Lok Sabha as well as the Maharashtra Assembly and force the government to take the issue seriously.
“More than 27 people have been lynched across the country. This issue is becomes grave with each passing day. People brazenly killing in the name of beef shows nobody takes the Prime Minister seriously,” said Ashok Chavan.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik asked if Devendra Fadnavis will ensure that there is no repeat of the incident.
“After Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Haryana, it is Maharashtra’s time now. The CM is from Nagpur hence the gravity of the incident is more. Will the CM ensure that this does not repeat in future,” Nawab Malik asked.
Nawab Malik further said that Devendra Fadnavis should guide workers of the BJP and the RSS through the difference between cow and buffalo meat as the latter is not banned.