BJP cracks the whip on its leaders, asks them to refrain from making provocative statements on Dadri incident

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday cracked the whip on its party leaders over the Dadri lynching incident asking them to refrain from making provocative statements in the gruesome murder, said sources.

According to the sources, the party has instructed that only the MLA and MP of the area should visit the area.

On September 28, 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was killed over rumours that his family was consuming beef in Bishada village of Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has appealed the people to maintain communal harmony. "We should maintain communal harmony. It is the responsibility of all citizens to maintain communal peace. This is my hope and I appeal to all citizens to maintain the same," said Singh.

Politicians continue to visit Bishada village and there has been no end to war of words between the political parties as they hold the other responsible for it.

Earlier in the day, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj stirred a controversy by saying, "We won't remain silent if somebody tries to kill our mother. We are ready to kill and get killed. The Uttar Pradesh government's double standards have been exposed. The way in which the incident is being politicised is condemnable."

Maharaj also called for ban of cattle slaughter. "There should be a ban not just on cow slaughter but also other cattle. The cow should be declared national animal. Those slaughtering cows should be hanged," said Maharaj.

Last week while visiting Dadri, BJP leader Sangeet Som, main accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots, said, "Families that indulged in cow slaughter are given protection. The UP government is taking one-sided action. Azam Khan and Asaduddin Owaisi are trying to disturb peace in the area."

Akhlaq was beaten to death by a mob on Monday night after a public announcement from the local temple that a calf had been slaughtered and his family had eaten beef.

His 22-year-old son Danish who was also attacked is battling for life at a hospital following two brain surgeries. The incident has sparked outrage in the country, with parties attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that the killing was a result of its "politics of hatred".