Oppn slams BJP leader for garlanding lynching convicts

NEW DELHI: The opposition parties on Saturday slammed Union Minister Jayant Sinha for allegedly honouring Ramgarh lynching convicts after they were released on bail even as the minister defended his action, saying he had full faith in the judicial system.

Sinha had welcomed by hugging and garlanding the eight men convicted in the Ramgarh lynching case in Jharkhand after they were released on bail on Thursday.

According to reports, the life sentences of the convicts were suspended by the High Court and after getting bail they headed to Sinha’s residence, led by a local BJP leader.

Condemning Sinha’s action, the Congress slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accused it of fanning communal tension.

“It is only in ‘New India’, where those who are supposed to get the noose are instead being garlanded,” the Congress said in a tweet.

“The minister of the Bjp-led Central government, which honours those accused of riots, is now garlanding convicts of lynching. Is Modi government encouraging social unstability,” it added.

CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury also attacked the BJP for “tearing India’s social fabric” and promoting politics of hate.

“We don’t need to look far to see who or which ideology is tearing our social fabric apart: When union ministers patronise those convicted of lynching,” he said in a tweet.

Swaraj India founder and renowned advocate Prashant Bhushan also slammed the minister and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah of patronising “lumpen thugs”.

“Jayant Sinha hugs and garlands Ramgarh lynching convicts as they come out on bail. Obviously the junior minister is keen to remain in the good books of his bosses, Modi and Shah, who patronise these lumpen thugs,” he said.