NEW DELHI: Addressing the issue of mob lynchings in the country, Union home minister Rajnath Singh reminded the House of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"I would like tell people who are raising these issues that the biggest case of mob lynching happened during 1984 Sikh genocide," the minister said during the debate on no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha.

Condemning the incidents of mob lynching, the minister said his ministry has advised the states to take stringent action against the culprits as also social media service providers to install checks to stop the spread of rumours and fake news.

Singh was responding in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour to Congress leader KC Venugopal, who raised the issue of lynching, last week's attack on Swami Agnivesh in Jharkhand and trolling of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj .

Singh said several people have been killed in the lynching incidents and added that it was a matter of grave concern for the government.

He said that the lynching happened because of rumours and unverified or fake news.

While observing that law and order is a state subject, Singh said the Centre cannot, however, remain silent on the issue.

"I have issued advisories to state government in 2016 and 2018. We have asked social media service providers to install check. Such incidents are unfortunate. We have asked the Chief Ministers to take firm action against the culprits," Singh said.

Raising the issue, Venugopal regretted that while these mob lynching and physical attacks on people, including those with dissenting views, have become the order of the day, the government was maintaining a silence.

He said that Union Minister Jayant Sinha had even garlanded some people who were allegedly involved in mob lynching incidents.

"Is this the rule of the law? These are very serious issues. I request the government to secure the democratic environment of the country," he said.

He also alleged that the government was using investigating agencies to "target people".

"I urge upon the government to make a law to prevent mob lynching," he said, advising ministers not to garland convicts.

Noisy scenes were witnessed during the discussion on the subject with some BJP members protesting Venugopal's speech, as Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia were seen vociferously asking the Chair to allow the Congress MP to complete his submission, saying it was a serious matter concerning the nation.

Not satisfied with the response of the home minister, Congress members led by Mallikarjun Kharge staged a walkout expressing dissatisfaction.

(With inputs from PTI)

