Somnath criticises Narendra Modi on the 'issue of intolerance'

Kolkata, Nov 7: Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday saying that he maintained "silence" on the issue of intolerance in the country.

"The biggest crisis is the silence of the Prime Minister. His silence proved that he has nothing to say on this issue and he has tactic support. Silence also speaks," he told a programme here to protest against intolerance.

Condemning the Dadri lynching incident, the veteran leader said "This kind of incidents have been taking place and the PM only said sorry and described it as a matter of a state. This is not an incident relating to a state, nor it is a law and order issue. It is a matter of humanity."

Chatterjee also alleged that the Modi government is controlled by RSS which is "issuing diktats who will eat what".

Stating that intolerance is totally unacceptable, he said "Several writers and artists have returned their awards and the government has failed to realise the gravity of the situation".

"On the other hand there are people owing allegiance to the (Modi) government who are mocking those writers and artists. Those who have come to power at the Centre are trying to divide the country on communal lines," Chatterjee alleged.

PTI