New Delhi: Concerned over communal incidents in Dadri and other places, the Centre on Monday asked all states to take strictest action against those who attempt to weaken the secular fabric by exploiting religious emotions.
In a statement, the Home Ministry said it was concerned over various incidents with communal overtones across the country including the recent "unfortunate" incident at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh where one person was lynched over rumours of eating beef.
"While law and order is basically a state subject, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been concerned over various incidents with communal overtones across the country including the recent unfortunate incident at Dadri, UP."
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"Consequently, the Home Ministry today issued an advisory to state governments stating that there is zero tolerance for any attempt to weaken the secular fabric of the nation and exploiting religious emotions or sentiments. MHA has called on the states to take strictest action as per law against such elements without any exception whatsoever," the statement said.
On October 1, the Home Ministry had sought a report on the Dadri incident from Uttar Pradesh government and advised the state government to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
However, the state government is yet to respond to the Home Ministry's communication, forcing it to send a reminder to send the report detailing the incident of lynching of a 50-year-old man and the steps taken to find the guilty and punish them.
Iqlakh was beaten to death and his 22-year-old son Danish critically injured by a 200-strong mob which barged into their house at Dadri in Greater Noida on September 26 following rumours that the family had consumed beef. Cow slaughter is banned in Uttar Pradesh.
A total of 51 people were killed in various parts of the country in communal incidents this year till June, of whom 14 people lost their lives in poll-bound Bihar.
Of the 330 communal incidents recorded across the country in the first six months of 2015, UP recorded the highest number at 68.
There were 252 communal incidents in the first six months of 2014 across the country.
