New Delhi, July 19 (IANS): Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday attacked the government over incidents of lynching in the name of cow protection, alleging that those attacking Dalits and minorities were getting protection from the ruling BJP.

Azad was taking part in a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of mob lynching on the pretext of cow protection.

"The cases of mob lynching in the name of protecting cow have gone up across the country in the last three years. Those involved in lynchings are getting protection from the ruling party people," Azad said.

He said such incidents had created an atmosphere of "fear, terror, loot and arson" in the country.

The Leader of Opposition in the Upper House slammed the government for the growing number of incidents and questioned if it was "happening in understanding with" the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He reminded the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh had spoken against such killings, but the "opposition feels that these incidents are happening in understanding with the ruling party".

He asked if it was happening because of an infighting in the "parivaar", an obvious reference to the pro-Hindutva parties.

Azad also urged the BJP not to vitiate the atmosphere in the country in the name of caste or religion. 

"For the unity and integrity of the country, every member of the opposition is ready to shed his blood.

"Stop doing vote bank politics," Azad said, adding that it was only strengthening external forces who were trying to break the country.

"If we have to fight our own people, then how we can fight with external forces?"