Patil rejects BJP demand for independent probe in Kerala clashes

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj Patil today rejected the BJP demand for an independent inquiry into the CPI(M)-RSS clashes in Kerala, saying it would trigger demands for such inquiries in many other states even though law and order was a state subject.

He, however, gave a categorical assurance in the Rajya Sabha that political violence would not be allowed in a democratic country like India, and if it happened anywhere, the law will take its course.

''Let a message go out from the House today that there was no place for such violence,'' he said.

The Home Minister was replying to the discussion in the House on yesterday's clashes between RSS-BJP combine and CPI(M) at the latter's national headquarters in the capital.

Senior BJP Members, including Mr Venkaiha Naidu, Ms Sushma Swaraj and Ms A S Ahluwalia, had insisted that he should answer their questions about the situation in Kerala where they said RSS workers were suffering atrocities at the hands of the ruling CPI(M) and were being killed. They said yesterday's incident could not be separated from the happenings in the southern state.

The Home Minister said those responsible will be brought to book without any fear of favour.

''I will definitely discuss the situation with the state government, and they would take necessary steps to rectify the wrong done to anyone. But it is not possible to go for an independent inquiry. If I do it, I will have to do it in may other states,'' he said.

He sought to remind the members that India had a federal set up and in different states, different political parties were ruling.

''If I give the names of states, you will feel uneasy, but I assure you that they have been told that we will not put up with political violence,'' he said.

Regarding the incident in Delhi, he said no one should attribute any motive to the Home Ministry.

''I am going to tell you exactly what my police officers have reported to me. A Home Minister cannot go to the spot to investigate and register FIR. He has to rely on his police set up, and unless they are proved wrong, the information given by them should be taken as correct,'' he said responding to Mr Naidu's remark that the Delhi Police while dealing with yesterday's incidents was acting under political pressure.

Mr Patil said that as per his information, about 200 persons had gathered at the Hindu Mahasabha Bhawan at 1045 hrs without permission.

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