VK singh apologises for 'dog' comment, says he has been misquoted

His remarks triggered outrage from Opposition and Congress and other parties demanded removal of Singh as a minister.

"If someone throws stones at a dog, the government is not responsible. Don't connect the government with it. It was a feud between two families, the matter is under inquiry,"  was what VK Singh was quoted in media saying.

The minister obviously wanted to shield the centre from criticism for the Faridabad dalit burning incident, but his language created a furore.

But singh says he has been misquoted. "If anyone feels I have called Dalits dogs is out of his mind. I am sorry if I have hurt any sentiments," he said.

In a statement he said, "Our society is made up of many individuals, and the act of every sick mind cannot be put at the door of the government, regardless of which party is in power. It does not matter who or what the political affiliations are, the perpetrators have to be dealt with without mercy. I appeal to the media not to deliberately twist my words out of context. What I have said and continue to say is very clear, and there is no ambiguity about it."

"The dastardly and cowardly act that led to the killing of two innocent children in Haryana – two-and-a-half-year old Vaibhav and 11-month old Divya – is a shocking reflection on the state of our society. From all indications, the horrific incident was triggered off by a feud between two families."

Singh said  he had not intended to draw an analogy between the Faridabad incident and stoning of a dog. "My statement wasn't intended to draw an analogy. My men & I put our lives on the line 4the nation irrespective of caste,creed & religion," he tweeted.