PM says lynching is crime, no matter what the motive is; attacks Oppn for politicising it

'My party and I have spoken in clear words, on multiple occasions against such actions and such a mindset', PM said while talking to ANI.

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New Delhi: Denouncing the recent increase in the incidents of lynching in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong disapproval of mob-violence and the emergence of a 'lynch-brigade', on Sunday. He said that disregard the motive, lynching is a crime and no person can take the law into his or her own hands. Speaking to the Times of India, PM said that it is very sad to hear about the incidents of lynching. 'Even if one incident occurs in the country, it is very sad and it needs to be condemned in the strongest voice'. He said that the government is committed to 'uphold the rule of law and protecting the life and liberty' of every citizen. He emphasised that clear advisories have been issued to states to take action against such issues. Talking to the daily, he said: “I want to make it clear that mob lynching is a crime, no matter the motive. No person can, under any circumstances, take the law into his or her own hands and commit violence.” In his talks with agency ANI he attacked opposition for raking up the issue of lynching and crimes against women 'just to indulge in politics over them, instead of unitedly opposing it'. He said that it shows a kind of perverse mindset that looks at violence and criminality as something to be milked, instead of unitedly opposing. Even a single incident is deeply unfortunate. 'Everyone should rise above politics to ensure peace and unity in our society. My party and I have spoken in clear words, on multiple occasions against such actions and such a mindset. It is all on record. Also, we are people who go beyond just words. Look at the actions of our Home Ministry to see how we have acted against violence', he said. He further said: “Soon after I assumed office, I had said from the ramparts of the Red Fort that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the dignity of women, whether Government, Society, Family or Individual. At the level of Government, we have gone to the extent of making provisions of capital punishment in certain category of crimes against women. You might have noted that results in terms of quick disposal of such cases leading to even capital punishment have started coming in. Let there be no doubts about the will of my Government to implement the Rule of Law in its true letter and spirit.”