PM's remarks just lip-service': Opposition parties

New Delhi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong statement against the vigilante groups and public lynching, strong reactions have come from the Opposition parties. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, attacked the Prime Minister terming his statements as an “eyewash:”. “The Prime Minister is under pressure as people had come out on the roads. We have no faith in the Prime Minister’s statement,” Mr Azad said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee termed the statement as “just words”. In a tweet, she said: “We condemn the killings taking place in the name of gau raksha. This must stop now. Just words are not enough”.  

The Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi echoed similar words as he asked the Prime Minister to “walk the talk”. Mr Owaisi said: “The PM’s statement is mere lip-service, and there is many a slip between the cup and the lip ... Such incidents would continue because the BJP and Sangh-affiliated organisations have put a lower premium on human life as compared to that of an animal. The PM has spoken twice but didn’t have the desired affect because gau rakshaks get direct/indirect support of the BJP/Sangh. So, nothing will change on ground.” However, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the statement of the Prime Minister but had reservations over its implementation on the ground. He said: “Well said sir. Here’s hoping the people carrying out these despicable acts take your words to heart and act accordingly.” CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said: “We are aware of Gandhi’s principles.We want to know what the Prime Minister proposes to do to stop such mobocracy.”