A file photo of MoS Home G Kishan Reddy (PTI)
The Centre has been able to control the situation in violence-hit parts of Delhi and would get to the bottom of truth and unravel the conspiracy, if any, that sparked the communal riots, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said. He also said while issues can be resolved by means of discussion, rumours allegedly spread by a section of political parties and sections in social media added fuel to the fire.
At least 42 people died and over 200 injured in the violence in parts of northeast Delhi last week over the Citizenship Amendment Act. Last week we witnessed some disturbances in the national capital. Unfortunately, many innocent people have lost their lives and there has been property loss also. A brave constable of Delhi Police and an IB officer have been victims of evil designs. We have been able to control the situation, Reddy said.
"The Narendra Modi government is determined to go to the bottom of truth to unravel the conspiracy, if any, that triggered the riots in Delhi," he said in his address at an
event at the Indian School of Business here.
Cautioning against rumour-mongering, he stressed the need for responsible use of social media. Social media can't be a misinformation tool. It is time to discuss about how social media can be more responsible... rumours spread by a section of political parties and sections in social media added fuel to the fire," he said.
Noting that 'samvad' (dialogue) was one of the greatest strengths of the country inherited from time immemorial, he said "we always believe in the concept of the democratic dialogue. While issues can be resolved by means of discussion, it is difficult to understand why a section of people invariably stays away from dialogue and involve in rumour-mongering."
Reddy reiterated that CAA would not take away the citizenship of any Indian but grant it to persecuted religious minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. People who criticise the government suffer from selective amnesia, he said.
It was assured during partition that the rights of minorities in respective nations will be protected. India respected its commitment on protecting the rights of minorities but Pakistan violated and religious minorities have been facing attacks instigated by the state, he alleged.
The Modi government had only taken a decision suggested by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, he said defending the CAA and seeking to know the basis of the present opposition to it.
Earlier, the minister inaugurated the ISB Policy Conclave - Ideas for India 2020 and Beyond.
