File Photo: Home Minister Rajnath Singh
Strongest possible action will be taken against those who try to disrupt communal harmony in the country, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today, days after a man was lynched in Uttar Pradesh's Dadri district over beef consumption rumours.
"Be it the state government or the central government, strongest possible action will be taken against those who try to break communal harmony in the country," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi.
The Home Minister was replying to a question about tension in Dadri where a Muslim man was lynched by a mob over allegation of beef consumption.
Akhlaq was attacked by a 200-strong mob at Bishada village after a public announcement which alleged that the family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat last Monday night.
On Tuesday, Mr Singh had termed the lynching episode as "unfortunate" and appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony.
"It was an unfortunate incident. I appeal to every citizen to maintain communal harmony, which is everyone's responsibility," Mr Singh had said.
The Home Ministry had on October 1 sought a report on the incident from the Uttar Pradesh government and advised it to ensure that such incidents did not recur.
Concerned over incidents, the Centre had also asked all states to take strictest action against those who attempt to weaken the secular fabric of the nation by exploiting religious sentiments.
In a statement, the Home Ministry had said it was concerned over various incidents with communal overtones across the country, including the recent "unfortunate" incident at Dadri.