New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the use of intimidation and violence against political opponents was a "violation of democratic rights".
Addressing the 'Matua Dharma Maha Mela 2022' virtually in West Bengal's Thakurnagar on the occasion of Harichand Thakur Jayanti, PM Modi said, "It is a democratic right to participate in political activities, but the use of intimidation and violence against political opponents is a violation of democratic rights."
While PM Modi did not name anyone, the remarks come a day after BJP alleged that several party legislators were roughed up by TMC MLAs inside the Bengal Assembly.
READ | 5 BJP MLAs, Including Suvendu, Suspended After Clash In Assembly Over Birbhum Violence
On Monday, chaos prevailed in the Bengal Assembly as ruling TMC and BJP MLAs exchanged blows after the saffron party demanded a statement by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the "worsening" law and order situation in the state following the Birbhum massacre.
The charred bodies of eight people, including two children, were recovered on March 21 after a mob allegedly went on a rampage and set houses on fire with petrol bombs in Rampurhat's Bogtui village. The toll has now risen to nine.
The killings were suspected to be in retaliation to the murder of Trinamool Congress panchayat leader Bhadu Sheikh.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said the teachings and principles of Matua community's spiritual guru Sri Harichand Thakur were of immense importance in present times when attempts were being made to divide the society based on language and region.
Matua is a backward Hindu community, a section of which is demanding implementation of the CAA.
"The teachings of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur becomes more important when we witness violence because of self-interest, and attempts to divide society on the basis of language and region," he said
PM Modi said everybody must oppose the mentality of violence, anarchy anywhere in society.
"We take government schemes to people on the basis of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'. When everyone's effort becomes the power for the development of the nation, only then we can move towards building an inclusive society," the PM said.