New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he described as a rising tide of hate-fueled violence targeting minority communities, particularly Muslims, under the current government. Gandhi expressed his concerns on the social media platform X, accusing the BJP-led government of being a "mute spectator" in the face of these attacks, which he believes are being perpetuated by mobs emboldened by the government's inaction.

“Those who have climbed the ladder of power by using hatred as a political weapon are continuously establishing a reign of fear across the country. Hateful elements hidden in the form of mobs are openly spreading violence, challenging the rule of law,” the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha wrote, sharing screenshots of videos from two recent incidents that have been circulating on social media.

The first incident took place on August 28 in Maharashtra's Thane district, where a 72-year-old man, Ashraf Ali Syed Hussain, was assaulted by a group of men on the Dhule CSMT Express train after being accused of carrying beef. The altercation, which initially began as a dispute over a seat, quickly escalated when the men questioned Hussain about two containers of meat he was carrying. Viral videos show the men kicking and slapping Hussain during the attack. Police have identified six suspects, of whom three have been arrested. They face multiple charges, including unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal intimidation.

The second incident occurred on August 27 in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri district, where a migrant worker from West Bengal, Sabir Malik, was beaten to death by members of a cow vigilante group. Malik was lured to a shop under the pretense of selling empty plastic bottles, where he was accused of eating beef and then brutally attacked. Seven individuals, including two juveniles, have been arrested in connection with Malik's murder.

Rahul Gandhi condemned these attacks, stating, "Any attack on the communal unity of India and the rights of Indians is an attack on the Constitution, which we will not tolerate at all. No matter how much effort the BJP makes, we will win this historic battle to unite India against hatred."

Gandhi's remarks highlight a growing concern about the increasing violence against minorities in BJP-ruled states, which he believes undermines the rule of law and threatens the communal harmony of the nation.