Gandhian, Opposition, tell PM Modi to act, not just talk

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condemnation of the recent instances of lynching in the name of cow-protection during his address at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad on Thursday, received a mixed reaction. While most people seem to have welcomed the PM’s statements that “killing in the name of cow worship is not acceptable,” a few activists and politicians said it was high time Mr Modi followed up his words with action.

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam lauded that Mr Modi had decided to speak on the issue, saying, “It’s good that he has finally spoken up on the issue. Now we expect (that) his words will be followed by action.”

Activist Dr Vivek Korde, a Gandhian, put the blame for the lynching squarely on the BJP government. “...The ‘gau rakshaks’ are encouraged by the BJP government and strict action against them is required, not mere lip service,” said Dr Korde.

Communist Party of India leader Prakash Reddy said, “He had already spoken on this issue a year back. But has anything changed? We demand action and not mere words,” he said.

NCP leader Nawab Malik scoffed at the PM’s empathy for those who died after being lynched by ‘gau rakshaks’.