Tuesday, October 14, 2008

BJP ally JD-U says attacks on Christians ‘deplorable’

New Delhi, October 14: In a veiled attack on Orissa and Karnataka, ruled by its allies BJD and BJP, the JD-U on Tuesday said the incidents of attacks on Christians in these states are ‘deplorable’ and damaging for the country.

Party chief Sharad Yadav said riots can be stopped ‘if the government had strong will power’.

"No riots can linger on for a long period if the government is committed to stop it. If the government's will power is strong riots can be stopped," Yadav said.

"The incidents in Orissa and Karnataka are damaging for the country. What has happened there is very bad. Violence being orchestrated against any community is deplorable and needs to handled sternly," Yadav said.

Supporting the demand of party leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for ‘strict and unbiased action those inciting communal violence’, Yadav said, "such elements should be crushed."

Yadav, however, supported BJP's demand for a tough law to deal with terrorism.

"Tougher law is required to tackle terrorism. Call it POTA or anything else but any kind of extremism or terrorism has to be crushed," Yadav said.

He accused the UPA Government of not doing ‘proper homework’ for Monday's National Integration Council meet.

"The government did not do any homework. The meeting was called just for the sake formality. Political parties reflect on the issues differently according to their philosophy but the government should have done proper homework for the meeting and should have forged a consensus on important issues," Yadav said.

He also criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying "the PM is singing Nirgun Bhajan in place of Sagun. I mean to say he should have proceeded with consensus in this matter taking all with him."

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