Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned the recent incidents of innocent people getting killed by cow vigilantes, and insisted that the rule of law must prevail.

Addressing a gathering on the Gaushala Grounds at Abhay Sthal, Morarji Desai’s memorial next to Sabarmati Ashram here, he expressed deep anguish and anger over the recent mob killings.

“Nobody has the right and no one can be allowed to kill people in the name of cow protection. There is no place for violence in society. It is unacceptable. This is not something with which Gandhiji would have agreed.”

The PM was speaking on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the Ashram, after issuing a commemorative postal stamp and a ₹150 coin on Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual guide, Shrimad Rajchandra, on his 150th birth anniversary.

He questioned the violent incidents in a country which learned the lesson of non-violence from Gandhi. “Nobody can be more authentic than Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave when it comes to gau bhakti. They showed us the best way for cow protection and how we should rededicate ourselves to it.”

Opposition slams remark

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad reportedly dubbed the PM’s statement as “inadequate.” Mere expression of anguish or anger is insufficient; the PM should ensure the rule of law prevailed in the country, he said.

The Left parties said the pressure from the public has forced Modi to break his silence on lynchings.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said: “Modi says Gandhiji would not approve lynchings as acceptable. But what about him and his government? Why has it not acted so far?” he asked.

CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy said no punishment has been given even in a single case till date, either on cow vigilantes or in cases of attacks against Dalits. “This is not a law and order problem. This is only used as a pretext to attack a particular section of the society,” he said in a letter to Modi.

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