Muslims being brutalized in Tripura, says Rahul Gandhi

Those who propagate hatred in the name of religion, according to the Congress leader, are not religious people but hypocrites.

Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi, while speaking about the violence in Tripura, said that the region’s Muslim population was being subjected to brutality.

In a tweet on his official handle, the Congress leader said that those who spread hatred in the name of religion are not religious people but hypocrites.

‘Government continues to pretend blind and deaf’

The comments of Rahul Gandhi, made in Hindi, said, “Our Muslim brothers are being brutalized in Tripura. Those who do hatred and violence in the name of Hindu are not Hindus, they are hypocrites.”

While taking a dig at the ruling party, he questioned, “How long will the government continue to pretend to be blind and deaf?”

Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s march triggers violence

Rahul Gandhi’s comment comes after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) held a march in Dharmanagar, North Tripura, earlier this week, following which a mosque in Panisagar sub-division and the homes of Muslim community members were allegedly vandalised.

The VHP was protesting the demolition of Durga Puja sites and shrines in Bangladesh.

Following the incidents of violence, police implemented Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the region.

Few members of the VHP were involved in arson activities, according to police officers acquainted with the situation.

BJP forms special probe committee after facing flak

After the violence, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have accused the VHP of inflaming tensions amongst groups.

Facing flak over the situation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday formed a five-member special committee to probe the violent incidents. According to the party’s state in-charge, Vinod Sonkar, the committee includes members from minority communities.

The BJP has, however, blamed the CPI(M) and TMC for inciting violence in order to gain political advantage.