13 Chief Ministers and opposition leaders have issued a joint statement against the increasing incidents of communal violence across the country and the inaction of the central government in these matters. Opposition leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Hemant Soren, Tejashwi Yadav made a joint appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony and give stringent punishment to the perpetrators of communal violence.
In a joint statement, 13 opposition parties have said that they are “disappointed” that issues like food, faith are being used by the ruling establishment to polarize society. Simultaneously, the opposition parties strongly condemned the recent communal violence, saying that they are shocked by the silence of the Prime Minister on those who spread bigotry and provoke the society. The leaders said that we appeal to all sections to maintain peace, thwart the designs of those who want to increase communal polarization.
This joint statement of opposition leaders came just days after several incidents of violence were reported in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and other regions on Ram Navami on Sunday. The situation in Khargone is still tense as 52 houses and shops have either been torched or damaged after four days of Sunday’s communal clash, the statement said. At the same time, some people alleged that he was targeted for being a Muslim.
The joint statement said that the reports indicate that there is a frightening pattern in the areas where these incidents have taken place. Inciting provocative speeches were given before aggressive religious processions that incited communal violence. In the letter, the opposition leaders also referred to the move by Muslim school students in Karnataka to wear hijab or traditional headscarf and ban non-vegetarian food during Navratri.