Vadodara: Modi intentionally caused communal riots

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, May 2: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today criticised the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat had intentionally caused the communal clashes in Vadodara, in which five people were killed and over 60 injured.

Dr Singh said that he was not against the demolition of illegal structures but since the "Mazar" is over 200-year old it had not only become legal but historical. The demolition of such an old place of worship was bound to raise the communal tension in the state.

The RJD leader, however, clarified that he was against using temples and mosques as a means of encroachment. He said that many times it was seen that people intentionally put up idols of lord Hanuman on roadside with the purpose of encroaching government land.

Asked about his response to the recent controversy on the reservation issue with the Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh being pitched against Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, the minister said that difference of opinion was a healthy trend for a thriving democracy. He said that it was a case of ''Matbhed not Manved (difference of opinion not division of heart).''

He said that the RJD has been a long time supporter of reservation even during the Mandal Commission report and there was no change of stand even today. Justifying the reservation for OBCs in educational institutions, he said that it would help in social justice for the deprived communities.

About the controversy surrounding RJD leader and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad writing to Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia over destruction of Brij Bhumi, Dr Singh said that destruction of Brij Bhoomi due to quarrying not only destroyed the historical heritage site but was also bad for environment.

UNI

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