Modi breaks silence on Dadri lynching

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an election rally in Nawada, Bihar, on Thursday, broke his eight-day silence on the lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh.Akhlaq was beaten to death by a mob which suspected him of having stored and consumed beef. Several members of the BJP are among the suspects in the case.Mr. Modi, who had come under criticism for failing to speak up on the issue or restrain his party leaders from making incendiary statements, referred to President Pranab Mukherjee’s statement just a day before, to drive home his



point.“I have said it earlier too. Hindus should decide whether to fight Muslims or poverty. Muslims have to decide whether to fight Hindus or poverty. Both need to fight poverty together. The country has to stay united, only communal harmony and brotherhood will take the nation forward. People should ignore controversial statements made by politicians, as they are doing so for political gains.”However Mr. Modi’s remarks were met with criticism. Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted why there was no outright condemnation of the Dadri lynching.