New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS): The Congress on Monday said lynching of a dairy farmer Umar Khan by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan was unfortunate and asked why such crime occurs only ahead of elections.

The party also asked who were the people who do politics of "religious polarisation".

Khan was allegedly shot dead by cow vigilantes in Govindgarh in Alwar district in Rajasthan on suspicion of cow smuggling while another person was injured. Khan's dismembered body was found on the railway tracks in Govindgarh in Alwar district on Friday.

"Whatever has happened is very unfortunate and painful. Every such incident should be severly condenmed. The important question is why such incidents occur only during elections," said Congress Spokesperson Manish Tewari.

"Before the Bihar elections in 2015, if you remember, what happened with Mohammed Akhlaq? After that, many such incidents happened when polls were due in different states," he added.

Tewari said: "Who are these people who do politics of religious polarisation. Which are these forces who don't trust the administration but believe in religious polarisation?

"When you find an answer to this, then it will be clear who all are behind these incidents."