‘Divided India’, not ‘developed India’ coming to fore: Opposition in Lok Sabha

“Lets not run down Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. They have contributed substantially globally for India…their whole contribution is big,” she said while participating in debate on ‘intolerance’ in the House.

She said not only the famous people, even the common people are feeling insecure and it is the duty of the party that is in power to make them feel secure.

“We are looking for a developed India but if you read any newspaper or watch any channel, actually we are looking at a divided India. There are very serious concerns raised from various sections of society,” said Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar.

She urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to tell the BJP members to think before commenting on any issue particularly related to intolerance.

Expressing disappointment over murder of rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare, she said these were acts of intolerance.

“I represent and come from a state (Maharashtra) which is suffering from intolerance…People now ask me, what is happening in your state?,” she said.

She said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis did nothing when the music functions were canceled in Mumbai.

Further, she said the present government is making progressive statements and keeps talking about smart cities and digital India “but the beef ban and ‘ghar wapsi’ issues come in digital India and modern India. Deliver the results that you have committed to”. This is the right and opportune time “to clean up everything”, Sule said, adding that instead of commenting on people who returned their awards, BJP should “rethink what is happening”.

YSR Congress Party member Varaprasad Rao said whatever is happening in the country during the last 18 months is “little disturbing”.

He said that instead of getting into the controversy of intolerance, people should think of renovating the thousands of temples which are in dilapidated condition.