Cong, SP slam Adityanath for blaming Muslims for riots

BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Sunday came under attack from the Congress and other Opposition parties for his controversial remarks on Muslims.

"He always makes statements which can lead to disputes. It is very unfortunate to talk such things about a particular community," Congress leader Rashid Alvi said a day after the firebrand BJP leader said riots happen in Uttar Pradesh where Muslims are more than 20% in numbers.

CPI leader D Raja termed as "absurd" the Gorakhpur MP's remarks. "It also shows a rabid communal interpretation of the situation that since Muslims are some 20% or more, that causes communal strife.” he said.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi played down Adityanath's remark and also tried to blame the SP for the worsening communal tension.

"Samajwadi Party and its leadership are responsible for the communal riots which have happened on such a large scale," he said adding, "Everybody, be it Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, has suffered from it and is a victim of this."

Yogi Adityanath one of the top three campaigners for the BJP in the UP bypolls had made the controversial comments in 'Aap Ki Adalat' programme on India TV.

"In places where there are 10 to 20% minorities, stray communal incidents take place. Where there are 20 to 35% of them, serious communal riots take place and where they are more than 35%, there is no place for non-Muslims," he said

The BJP MP has already been under attack in recent days after two CDs  surfaced in which he is shown making inflammatory speeches against minorities.