Anyone disturbing harmony will not be spared: Home Minister Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Rejecting the contention that intolerance is growing under NDA rule, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asserted in Lok Sabha that anyone trying to disturb harmony will not be spared as he expressed readiness to order CBI probe into incidents like Dadri and Kalburgi murders.

Replying to a debate on 'intolerance', he also appealed, once again, to the writers, artists and scientists, who have returned their awards, to take them back and expressed willingness to discuss their apprehensions and suggestions.

In his speech during which several opposition parties staged a walkout towards the end, Singh said the allegations that 'intolerance' is increasing under the Narendra Modi government is unfounded.

Projecting India as a place not fit for living will only hurt the country's image and prevent foreign investment, he said.

"I want to assure this House, on behalf of myself and the Prime Minister, that if anyone tries to harm the social and religious harmony, he will not be spared," he said.

"I appeal to all MPs and the people of this country to join hands in strengthening the spirit of tolerance," he said.

To questions by the opposition as to why Narendra Modi had not spoken on the untoward incidents, Singh countered by asking whether any of the previous Prime Ministers had ever commented on such incidents in the past.

The Home Minister said internal security is his responsibility and he had always spoken on such incidents.

Responding point-by-point to issues raised by the opposition during the debate, Singh said the Centre is still ready for a CBI probe into the lynching of a Muslim man in Dadri even though the Uttar Pradesh government has not yet recommended it so far.

Similarly, he said, if the Karnataka government wants a CBI probe into the murder of writer M M Kalburgi, the Centre was ready to order it. He noted that the case was at present being investigated by the Karnataka CID.