New Delhi: Congress leader Kapil Sibal tore into the Narendra Modi government in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday over its handling of the Delhi riots, saying it was unfortunate that the ruling BJP is willing to protect cows but not human beings.
Initiating a short-duration debate in Rajya Sabha on the recent law and order situation in some parts of Delhi, Sibal alleged that while the national capital was burning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent on the matter for 70 hours and the police machinery was busy destroying evidences and supporting violence or rioters.
Referring to home minister Amit Shah, who wasn’t present in the House, during a discussion on the riots that claimed 53 lives, Sibal questioned why no FIRs had been filed despite there being evidence of some policemen aiding rioters.
“You (Shah) are sitting on (India’s first home minister’ Sardar Patel's seat), think about the innocent people suffering… Those who suffered want to know whom to look at for support,” the former Union minister said.
Accusing the ruling BJP of unleashing a "communal virus" in India that wreaked havoc, Sibal asked Shah why the registration of FIRs was delayed against the perpetrators of hate speeches, which he claimed amounted to "a licence to kill".
Pointing towards Shah, who was present in the Upper House, Sibal asked why FIRs were not registered against those who delivered hate speeches that "incited" communal violence in Delhi.
"You can do anything to protect cows, but not human beings? Do we need to bring another Article to ensure the protection of human beings," he said, referring to provisions of the Constitution on cow protection.
Alleging the implicit support of the police for those indulging in violence, Sibal said, “It is clear that the police were helping those who were indulging in violence and its result was the death of innocent people who had nothing to do with the riots.”
Mentioning the spread of coronavirus, he said "we know the roots of the virus" and "we know" who were the "collaborators" of the riots.
"The Home Minister must have seen footages of policemen destroying CCTV cameras," he said, adding that Delhi has a strong police force of 87,000 but unfortunately the riots could not be contained.
The violence in northeast Delhi last month claimed 53 lives and left over 200 injured. The riots were triggered by clashes between those protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act and those supporting it.
Sibal said the riots were "orchestrated" just as the celebrations to welcome US President Donald Trump. The riots in Delhi had taken place during Trump's visit to India.
"Everyone knew what was happening, but the Delhi Police knew nothing," he alleged.
Sibal also said it was a paradox that on February 25 the government termed the Delhi riots "spontaneous", whereas Shah in Lok Sabha said it was a conspiracy. He said of the 53 who lost their lives, 34 were of one community and questioned the delay in registration of FIRs against those who gave hate speeches.
"This was a license to kill...," he alleged, adding that if the government wanted to control the situation it could have easily done so.
He also warned against communalising the youth. If the "virus" is spread among the youth, democracy will be destroyed, he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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