Ahmedabad: Home Minister of India Amit Shah on Friday said anti-social elements earlier indulged in violence in Gujarat as the Congress supported them, but after the perpetrators were “taught a lesson” in 2002, they stopped such activities and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) established “permanent peace” in the state.
Addressing a rally in Mahudha town of Kheda district in support of BJP candidates ahead of next month’s assembly elections, Shah, as per IANS report, alleged, “During the Congress rule in Gujarat (before 1995), communal riots were rampant. Congress used to incite people of different communities and castes to fight against each other. Through such riots, Congress strengthened its vote bank and did injustice to a large section of the society.”
He claimed that Gujarat witnessed violence in 2002 because perpetrators became habitual of indulging in violence due to the prolonged support they received from the Congress.
“But after they were taught a lesson in 2002, these elements left that path (of violence). They refrained from indulging in violence from 2002 until 2022. BJP has established permanent peace in Gujarat by taking strict action against those who used to indulge in communal violence,” Shah said.
Thanking Modi for abrogating Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, Shah alleged that the Congress was against it because of its “vote bank”.
