On Delhi riots, Congress' 'Rajdharma' message to President Kovind
What's the story
In its meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday regarding riots in Delhi, a delegation of Congress asked him to use his power to protect Rajdharma.
The team was led by Congress' interim President Sonia Gandhi and also included former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
After the meeting, Sonia said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should be sacked for not fulfilling his duties.
Context
Protest against CAA became communal, dozens lost lives
Contrasting views on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) snowballed into a despicable communal clash where both Hindus and Muslims hurt one another in Northeast Delhi.
In the riots, over 30 people died, countless homes were ravaged, and shops were burnt.
All this happened when US President Donald Trump was in India for his maiden trip, along with his family members and top officials.
Attack
Congress, that wants Shah's resignation, spoke with President Kovind
That Delhi witnessed violence under the watch of BJP (Union Home Ministry handles Delhi Police) gave opposition ammunition to attack the saffron party.
Congress, that has been demanding Shah's resignation, submitted a memorandum to President Kovind.
"We call upon you and the Constitutional Office you hold, that the life, liberty, and property of the citizens are preserved, secured and protected," the document read.
Quote
Congress reminded President Kovind of his responsibilities
"Rashtrapati ji you are given highest possible responsibility under the Constitution of India: to act as the conscience keeper of this Government and to remind it of its Constitutional duty and the pillars of Rajdharma, by which any just government must abide," it added.
Statements
Not only BJP, Sonia slammed AAP too
Speaking to media after the meeting, Sonia said, "Instead of taking active steps to remedy or diffuse the situation, the central government as also the newly-elected Delhi government, have remained mute spectators as completely mindless rage, designed violence and organized looting of the property has continued unabated."
And Dr. Singh said the incident reflected the momentous failure of the government.
Looking back
Years ago, Vajpayee also evoked 'Rajdharma'
This is not the first time that Rajdharma has been mentioned in Indian politics, especially when violence has reached its peak.
In 2002, when Gujarat was shaken by riots in which most of the victims were Muslims, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee told his junior Narendra Modi to follow Rajdharma.
Modi was the Chief Minister of the state when the massacre happened.
Quote
Ruler can't differentiate between his subjects: Vajpayee
"A king, a ruler, should not discriminate against the subjects. Not on the basis of birth, not on the basis of caste, not on the basis of religion," Vajpayee had said, as CM Modi sat next to him.
Tweets
Yesterday, PM Modi urged people to maintain peace
Meanwhile, PM Modi broke his long-standing silence on the violence asking people to maintain peace, yesterday.
"Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest," he tweeted, and also said he reviewed the situation.