New Delhi: There was a war of words in Parliament as intolerance debate took centrestage in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The treasury and opposition benches argued over whose statistics on communal violence is accurate.
Minister of state for Home Kiren Rijiju has claimed that communal violence has declined after NDA came to power whereas as Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge accused the minister of misleading the House saying statistics indicate communal incidents are on the rise.
"The government is not planning to form any committee to collectively investigate the incidents of communal violence across the country. The number of incidents of communal violence has considerably gone down under NDA. In 2015, there are only four communal incidents till October. I do not want to talk of the details of all the communal incidents under UPA," said Rijiju.
Rijiju rejected suggestions by Kharge that there have been more communal clashes in states where BJP has "more presence" such as Gujarat, Karnataka and Bihar.
"It is not a fair comment. What Kharge says does not tally with the figures. It is the responsibility of state government or MPs," the minister asked.
While the debate continues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi could speak on the issue in Rajya Sabha around 2 pm. Sources said Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi may also speak on the issue in the Lok Sabha.
The Opposition has sought more time for the discussion on the issue.
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