Where is intolerance? India will never be intolerant: Jaitley


New Delhi, Nov 3 (PTI): Asserting that India will never be intolerant, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today rejected Congress' pitch on the issue, saying opponents must fight political battles politically, and wondered "where is the intolerance".

Calling as "aberrations" some of the recent incidents including the beef row, Jaitley insisted that there is "no justification" in returning of awards and the national situation "is absolutely peaceful. India is fully committed as a liberal democracy to peaceful co-existence".

"There is an atmosphere of harmony. This country has never been intolerant and will never be intolerant," the BJP leader said.

He was replying to questions including about the protest march of Congress to President Pranab Mukherjee on the issue today and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary Sciences holding a seminar with 'Leftist' intellectuals on the issue.

Stressing that "political opponents must fight political battle politically", the Finance Minister said that it is "not fair" to create an issue due to political reasons and then link it to government even when incidents of crime are happening in states ruled by other parties.

"Where is the intolerance? We are the most vibrant democracy. The atmosphere will not change only by talking. If some incident happens like the one in Karnataka, which is Congress-ruled, you cannot link it to the central government to attack. That is not fair.

"This is a crime and action should be taken against whoever commits crime. That is why people in the mainstream in the country have opposed it," he said.

The Minister was speaking after unveiling the plans for the 46th International Film Festival of India. The IFFI is being held in Goa between November 20 and November 30.

BJP and Congress have locked horns over the issue of "growing intolerance" in society, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday saying the Congress president had no moral right to lecture the NDA on tolerance and it should "hang its head in shame" for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots where thousands were massacred.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi yesterday met President Mukherjee ahead of the proposed march by party leaders to Rashtrapati Bhavan today to request him to invoke his constitutional powers to stem the "atmosphere of intolerance".

Jaitley also expressed confidence that the issue will have no impact on the IFFI.
"I do not see any reason why anyone should try and disturb any event in India. It's not a good practice. It's not a good principle," he said.

Replying to question on whether the government is talking to film makers who are returning awards, Jaitley wondered "when there is an atmosphere of peace in the country, what is the justification in returning awards".

"There is no justification in returning awards," he asserted adding that they are selected for awards by people from their profession for their work.

The Finance Minister downplayed film star Shahrukh Khan's comments after he joined the chorus against "growing intolerance" in the country saying that "religious intolerance and not being secular...is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot".

Jaitley said, "Nobody is ready to say in this country that there should be intolerance. What is wrong if somebody says that there should be no intolerance in the country."

Jaitley also refused to join issue with former Union minister Arun Shourie, a supporter-turned-critic of Narendra Modi who has attacked both the BJP leaders.

"I do not need to answer any personal comment on me," he said.

The Finance Minister also declined to comment on a question about sulking BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, who said that while Jaitley was responsible for the defeat of BJP in Delhi, Amit Shah has to take responsibility if BJP loses Bihar.
"I need not make a comment on that," Jaitley said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Jp, Mangalore/SFO

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    This guys is dumber than cow...

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramakrishna A K , Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    India was intolerant since last 4000 years. The Caste system (6200 castes) is glaring proof of India being pathetically intolerant since thousand of years. Such foolish system of having 6200 castes never exists anywhere in the world, even though racism exists in some countries to some extent.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • C K DAYANANDA, MANGALURU

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Ashish
    If it is common phenomena, then why the so called intellectuals are only blaming BJP. Is it because of Bihar elections.

    DisAgree [5] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Rosario Fernandes, Kallianpur

    Wed, Nov 04 2015

    Now only intellectuals, wait for some days, even the municipality labourers will hate BJP/RSS. The BJP is expert in self certifying crooks. Intolerance, Hindutwa, Beef ban, arrogance for being a majority in the LS, all this will them to dust. Modi is hated internationally but his chamchas claim otherwise. They hide the ground reality. Wait for Bihar results. That is the beginning of an end for you.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    In India BJP leader gives open beheading threat to Congress Chief Minister, if he eats beef.
    In Dadri accused for possession of beef lynched by Mob.
    In Haryana, Dalits got killed out of jealousy, and BJP Minister VK Singh term the victims as Dogs.
    BJP MP, Sakshi Maharaj says, forget about eating beef, one shouldn't even eat meat in India.
    No deterrent punishment is awarded to any of those.
    During Vegetarians festivals, non veg supply also is banned.
    Instead of taking action on the accused, our Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saying there is no intolerance in India.
    Is he in deep slumber?

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D Souza, Mangalore/Dubai.

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Joot lee
    Remove your sun glasses and see...

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Why are you intolerant only with MINORITIES ...

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rosario Fernandes, Kallianpur

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    The point is, 1984 incident was political and ofcourse condemnable.
    But the current situation is deliberately created communal incidents. If this continues unchecked, the country is in danger. simply playing foot ball game on 2002 & 1984 does not solve the issue. Media and BJP does'nt understand the difference.?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • N.M, Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    failed lawyer turned Finance minister will tomorrow ask "where is poverty and price rise"?

    BJP is filled with such incompetent losers and beheading specialists.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • readerwriter007, pune

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    I read hat "Sonia Gandhi Leads Congress March Against Intolerance to Rashtrapati Bhawan". Now you know the agenda behind all these issues and incidents. Here is the lady who dictated all these and also financed these riots and incidents. Now she is on her way to make use of the situation created by her own. Trust President will give nice lecture to this Italian lady and send her back home. Praying for it.

    DisAgree [34] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan, Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    The fact is BJP refuses to accept the situation... Unless they recognize the problem how can there be a solution!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • readerwriter007, pune

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    at least I could see some responsible people commenting sensible here. It's absolutely clear that Congress is having this agenda and driving it so aggressively just to show case that problem started after BJP took over the Govt from them and Modi took over PM position from Manmohan singh. Congress can not digest these and also the great initiatives which Modi has taken which will take India to a higher level, both at country level and also at International level. Just to stop them achieving the same Congress is spreading this hatred and proving India as a Intolerance country. They are not bothered about the impact. So, let's all please spread the awareness of this cruel initiative by Congress and ensure they don't succeed.

    DisAgree [25] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • John dsouza, Udupi

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Except some local fighting and some religious arguments india is still peacfull, see the iraq and Syria people are sucking each other's blood.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • C K DAYANANDA, MANGALORE

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Lucknow and other cities were famous for communal riots or Shia-Sunni clashes during Congress rule till 1990s.

    In some cities clashes were going for months and years.

    It is only after NDA and BJP came into power that these clashes were stopped.

    Communal clashes are happening wherever there is Congress and Samajwadi Party rule, but they are shifting the blame on BJP with the help of so called intellectuals and leftists.

    In BJP ruled Gujarath and Madhya Pradesh, communal clashes are very less.

    BJP should collate a data of communal disturbances including atrocities on Kashmiri Pandiths and on Sikhs in 1984 and place the same before people.

    DisAgree [18] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • C K DAYANANDA, MANGALORE

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Lucknow and other cities were famous for communal riots or Shia-Sunni clashes during Congress rule till 1990s.

    In some cities clashes were going for months and years.

    It is only after NDA and BJP came into power that these clashes were stopped.

    Communal clashes are happening wherever there is Congress and Samajwadi Party rule, but they are shifting the blame on BJP with the help of so called intellectuals and leftists.

    In BJP ruled Gujarath and Madhya Pradesh, communal clashes are very less.

    BJP should collate a data of communal disturbances including atrocities on Kashmiri Pandiths and on Sikhs in 1984 and place the same before people.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jp, Mangalore/SFO

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Dayananda, by writing same message again and again you can not make a lie as truth ! As long as people like you are there these Joot Lee's have no problems !

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • C K DAYANANDA, MANGALORE

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Lucknow and other cities were famous for communal riots or Shia-Sunni clashes during Congress rule till 1990s.

    In some cities clashes were going for months and years.

    It is only after NDA and BJP came into power that these clashes were stopped.

    Communal clashes are happening wherever there is Congress and Samajwadi Party rule, but they are shifting the blame on BJP with the help of so called intellectuals and leftists.

    In BJP ruled Gujarath and Madhya Pradesh, communal clashes are very less.

    BJP should collate a data of communal disturbances including atrocities on Kashmiri Pandiths and on Sikhs in 1984 and place the same before people.

    DisAgree [30] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ashish, India

    Tue, Nov 03 2015



    Facts cannot be hidden. Who was in power in Gujarat during 2002 riots?
    In Karnataka, why there are so many communal clashes and BJP disowns their supporters but still keep mum abt d issue?
    Why PFI and KFD guys who are involved I the crimes roaming around freely?
    I tell you, Crime has no religion. All those involved are scapegoats

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Udupi

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Why is Jaitley speaking on every subject. What is the  Home Minister Rajnath doing..Jaitley manage the finance in a better way before it goes a complete mess...Jaitley thinks he is a master who can speak on every issue..Is he blind to the reality. We can see signs of highest intolerance prevailing in India at the moment and if it burts out it can lead to one of the biggest communal violence after Independance.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    There was a picture in one South India paper where Modiji with his religious outfit standing very close to Asaram Bappu of Bihar who was arrested for sexual abuse of young people. I don't know whether Modiji went to get his blessing since he was arrested or before that.

    I was under the notion that Modiji was the follower of Swami Vivekandana, but now only the new list of his holy men are appearing.

    Probably, Modiji might have got some advice from the rape swami about introducing "devasai tradition all across India".

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Which category Mr Channabasappa belongs...., tolerant or intolerant?
    No wonder sooner than later.., instead of our honorable CM this Channabasappa may get Z security.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed, DOH / IXE

    Tue, Nov 03 2015

    Beef Ban

    Kill authors who have written against Hinduism

    Jail people who write against PM

    yeah yeah...we are very tolerant country..

    DisAgree [22] Agree [46] Reply Report Abuse


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