Rajnath Offers CBI Probe In Intolerance Linked Incidents, Says States Dragging Feet

01 December, New Delhi

Asserting that India will remain a beacon of tolerance to the world, Home Minster Rajnath Singh today offered to institute a CBI probe in the incidents where murders linked to intolerance are being probed by the CIDs of respective states.

Speaking during a debate in the Lok Sabha on rising instances of intolerance in the country, Singh said he is open to direct the federal agency Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) to probe Dadri murder case in UP, Kalburgi murder in Karnataka and Pansare murder in Maharashtra which are being probed the state police agencies.

Reminding that the law and order was subject of the states and the Centre can not force an investigation, Singh said the states should stop blaming the Centre for murder incidents linked to intolerance and if they were still dissatisfied they should allow a probe by the federal agency.

Singh also strongly defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the demands of his reply on the incidents, saying,”I am the Home Minister of the country, the law and order is my responsibility. It is my duty and I am answerable, do not drag Prime Minister into it. If you have a complaint, tell me and we will take action.”

Clarifying the remarks made by former Army general and now minister V K Singh on Dalits, Singh said ample clarification was made on the purported remarks but still the issue was being raked up.

“I had very clearly stated to all in our government that refrain from making any statement that can be construed as something controversial or insulting. My message was blunt and clear,” Singh said, adding that Singh had explained his remarks to him and had said he had been misquoted.