Title: Need to combat communal forces in the country.
(PONNANI): Sir, there is a pressing need for strict vigilance and firm action against increasing attempts to arouse anti-minority passions and vitiate communal atmosphere in various parts of the country. Particularly with Assembly elections drawing near, venomous outbursts and speeches are doing their provocative rounds. Open threats of force and serious consequences are repeatedly aired on the Ayodhya issue. There are reports of large-scale distribution of trishuls in Rajasthan. More than 2,600 trishuls were distributed in the last 35 days alone. This is in addition to the trishuls distributed earlier. The alarming situation is that the number of communal incidents has increased along with the campaign of arming people with trishuls. This is confirmed by the Gujarat experience. It may be recalled that regions in Gujarat where trishuls were distributed witnessed the worst and the largest number of killings. Such, therefore, is the dangerous situation that is developing with elections coming nearer to various Assemblies in the country.
Again, in Rajasthan in Jakhan village (Jodhpur) there is in offing a boycott of Muslims. I do not want to go into the details. But these are the matters that threaten communal harmony in our country. Then, the situation in Madhya Pradesh is tense – an Ayodhya is being sought to be created on the question of entering the Bhojshala-Kamal Moula mosque at Dhar. This is under the Archaeological Survey of India. An andolan was organised and stones were freely hurled. Our Government cannot turn a blind eye to these developments and the danger of developments threatening peace and amity in our country. … (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAKASH MANI TRIPATHI (DEORIA): It is a matter of debate. How is it a matter to be raised during ‘Zero Hour’? I want your ruling on this. When there is no urgent matter involved, how is it being raised here? We are being told about all the history. This is what is vitiating the atmosphere. This is a clear case of vitiating the atmosphere. What is being raised here, how is it a matter of public importance? … (Interruptions)
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : The Parivar may belong to the largest constituent of the ruling Front, but that does not mean that it has an open general licence to … (Interruptions)
SHRI BIKRAM KESHARI DEO (KALAHANDI): He has mentioned about trishuls. Trishul is a symbol of Hinduism, and there is nothing wrong in it. He has mentioned the word ‘trishul’ so many times. The Punjabis, particularly the Khalsas, are allowed to carry‘kirpan’with them. Hon. Member, Shri Mann had come with a kirpan. In the same way, why can a Hindu be not allowed to carry a trishul? There is nothing wrong in it. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Whatever is objectionable in his speech, I will expunge it after seeing the record.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, peace and harmony in the country cannot be destroyed by the vicious elements. I appeal to the Government to take serious note of these developments and see to it that necessary action is taken to maintain peace and to maintain communal harmony in our country.
MR. SPEAKER: Let us maintain peace in the House also.