Cases against Muslims in Muzaffarnagar won't be withdrawn: UP govt

Lucknow, Jan 7:

chief minister

has been slammed for allegedly trying to appease minorities in the state ahead of Lok Sabha polls by trying to withdraw cases against Muslims in Muzaffarnagar communal

case. However, the Home department has refuted the allegations raised by the Opposition and has said that the cases will not be withdrawn, says

"The government has not taken any such step to withdraw the cases. The home department has made some queries to which the concerned DM (district magistrate) has replied. It does not mean the cases are withdrawn" said the Home department sources. "An investigation will reveal who is innocent or guilty."

Earlier, special secretary for home, RN Pandey, had sought a report from the Muzzafarnagar administration regarding the status of police cases lodged against some Muslim politicians and society leaders in relation to a public meeting held on August 30, 2013, and whether the cases could be withdrawn in the light of larger public good. The leaders are accused of making inflammatory speeches and inciting the people at the public meeting called by Muslim organisations.

The Muzzafarnagar DM had replied that as the investigation in the cases were still on, the cases should not be withdrawn.

The public meeting was held three days after the Kawal incident of August 27, which left two Hindu and a Muslim youth dead in a clash between the two communities, and triggered large­scale riots that left 62 dead in the next few days. Addressed by BSP MP Kadir Rana, BSP MLAs Noor Saleem Rana and Jameel Ahmed, former Congress MLA Saeed U Zaman and some community leaders, the meeting allegedly saw the leaders making inflammatory speeches which led to rioting.

"The government has resorted to minority appeasement and left all its good sense behind as it is blinded by votebank politics," state BJP chief Laxmikant Vajpayee said. "Withdrawal of riot cases will encourage perpetrators to be emboldened and such incidents could be repeated. Police cases are being withdrawn only against Muslim leaders. BJP MLAs Sangeet Singh Som, Suresh Rana and others are not being shown any leniency," he said.

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