Firebrand BJP senior leader Vinay Katiyar has said that Alwar mob lynching was the result of growing awareness among Hindus over cow slaughter. Talking to media in Allahabad on Monday, Katiyar said that “incidents of mob lynching have increased of late due to growing awareness among Hindus.”

Blaming Muslims for the spurt in mob lynching case, the former BJP Rajya Sabha member said that “though he condemns such incidents but members of the minority community should understand that Hindus will react if they did not stop cow slaughtering.”

“There are a lot of Muslims across country who are still carrying on the trade of cow slaughtering to make available its meat to members of their community. Such acts provoke Hindus resulting in incidents of mob lynching,” said Katiyar. He advised Muslims to understand the religious feelings of Hindus who revered cow as their mother. “Cow slaughtering will not be tolerated anymore. When there is a ban on it then Muslims should stay away from cows,” advised Katiyar.

On AICC President Rahul Gandhi and opposition demands to bring a legislation for checking incidents of mob lynching, Katiyar commented that Alwar issue was being raked up by them to disrupt parliament and divert attention of the nation from real issues.

“There is no need to bring a separate legislation for mob lynching. There are enough legislation to deal with people taking law into their hands. There is a need to create awareness among Muslims to stay away from cow trade to curb rising incidents of mob lynching,” suggested Katiyar.

The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board and Muslim clerics reacted sharply to Katiyar’s statement on Alwar mob lynching. “There are Hindus also who consume beef (cow meat). Should they be also lynched by the mob”? questioned Jafrayab Jilani, Secretary AIMPLB.

“It is unfortunate that the ruling party was supporting mob lynching and initiating no action against those behind it. Cows are sacred but that does not mean that any Muslim found in possession of the sacred animal would be killed brutally,” fumed Maulana Khaild Rashid Farangi Mahali, Head of Islamic Centre of India and Imam of Lucknow Idgah.