In a riveting response to Opposition’s charge that the Union government was lackadaisical in dealing with Delhi riots, Union home minister Amit Shah said they had taken strict action in containing the riots and did not make incendiary remarks like former PM Rajiv Gandhi did during the ’84 riots
Bengaluru: The Lok Sabha took up a discussion related to the Delhi riots that took place three weeks ago.
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sought the home minister Amit Shah’s response on the issue while levelling allegations that he had not done enough to contain them.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi added that the Delhi police had done well to contain the riots under 36 hours.
Later in the day, Amit Shah himself addressed the house.
He said, “Three people who financed the riots have been nabbed. Want to assure Indians that all those who caused the violence will not be able to escape the law.”
He also added that 700 FIRs had been registered.
He said, “From 27 February till today, around 700 FIRs have been registered.”
He also explained the situation in which he was present during Trump’s visit to Ahmedabad.
He said, “US President Donald Trump's program was pre-scheduled, it was in my constituency, my visit there was also pre-scheduled. The next day, when US Pres visited Delhi, I wasn't present at any event. The whole time I was sitting with Police officials. I only requested NSA to visit the area.”
The Union home minister also assured the house that innocent people will not be punished.
He said, “We are ensuring that no action is taken against any innocent person. 49 cases of Arms Act have been registered & 153 arms have been recovered. Over 650 meeting of peace committee have taken place since February 25.”
On the issue of not visiting the riot-hit areas, he had this to say: “I did not go there myself as I didn't want the police to divert resources towards my security arrangements.”
Shah also took a jibe at the Congress for its role in anti-Sikh riots.
He said, “As home minister, I did appeal for peace. I also never made any comment like Rajiv Gandhi’s comment comparing riots to trees falling.”
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