This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Dadri Incident An 'Unfortunate Accident', Insists BJP's Mahesh Sharma After Outrage

Dadri Incident An 'Unfortunate Accident', Insists BJP's Mahesh Sharma After Outrage
GREATER NOIDA, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Family members of Mohammad Akhlaq (50-year-old man) mourn during his funeral at their village in Bisada on September 29, 2015 in Greater Noida, India. Akhlaq was beaten to death and his son critically injured by a mob over an allegation of storing and consuming beef at home, late night on Monday, in UPs Dadri. Police and PAC were immediately deployed in the village to maintain law and order. Six persons were arrested in connection with the killing of man. (Photo by Burhaan Kinu/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
GREATER NOIDA, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Family members of Mohammad Akhlaq (50-year-old man) mourn during his funeral at their village in Bisada on September 29, 2015 in Greater Noida, India. Akhlaq was beaten to death and his son critically injured by a mob over an allegation of storing and consuming beef at home, late night on Monday, in UPs Dadri. Police and PAC were immediately deployed in the village to maintain law and order. Six persons were arrested in connection with the killing of man. (Photo by Burhaan Kinu/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

A visibly agitated Union Minister Mahesh Sharma today repeated that the lynch-mob beating to death a Muslim blacksmith in Uttar Pradesh's Dadri was an "unfortunate accident" and not an instance of communal violence stoked by a temple priest over the suspicion that the victim's family had slaughtered and consumed a cow.

"If anyone wants to come and help the family, they are most welcome. But the village will not admit entry to anyone who wants to politicize the issue. I appeal with folder arms that do not communalize this unfortunate accident. I have brief Home Minister Rajnath Singh and have called for a probe by the highest authorities. The Home Minister is upset about the incident. I have met the family. This sort of incident should not have happened in any civilized society. Justice will be served for everyone - the family and also for the youths under arrest," Sharma told TV channels at the village.

Union Minister Mahesh Sharma meets family of Ikhlakh,the victim in #Dadri incident pic.twitter.com/oDADy2UbQP

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 2, 2015

Sharma had earlier sparked outrage by described the lynching of 50-year-old Mohammed Akhlaq in Dadri as an "accident". Akhlaq was beaten to death and his 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured by the mob which barged into their house following rumours that the family had consumed beef, on Monday night.

We have not received any threats: Ikhlaq's elder brother #DadriIncidentpic.twitter.com/djQUgzeMfC

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 2, 2015

On Friday, Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Itthadul Majlis-e-Itthadul Muslimeen, met the family and claimed that the incident was pre-planned murder. "The killing was not an accident but was pre-planned. You cannot barge into a house and assault people there," Times of India quoted him as saying.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav assured justice to the family and said those responsible would be severely punished. "The government and law and administration will do its work. The accused won't be able to get rid of the law. Justice will be done in this case and the culprits will be severely punished," he said.

Asserting that the people in Uttar Pradesh live with a feeling of brotherhood, Yadav said there are few elements who want to disturb the environment.

"If anything goes wrong, then the people should inform the police and the government. The government will do a strict probe against those trying to disturb the situation. Few people have been arrested and few others will be arrested. We will help the family and give Rs.10 lakh as compensation," ANI quoted him as saying.

Akhlaq's family has maintained that the meat stored in their refrigerator was mutton and not beef. (With inputs from agencies)

Contact HuffPost India

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.