VK Singh sparks row by remarks on Dalit children killing, Haryana CM visits village

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,"  VK Singh was quoted in media saying. 

 

Congress, CPI-M and other parties blasted VK Singh for comparing the Dalits with the dogs. They said he should be immediately removed from his position while cases under strict laws to prevent atrocities on the lower castes should be invoked to book the culprits. 

 

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also visited their family Thursday and assured them that the guilty would be punished. He refused comment on the remark of VK Singh while appealing for peace in the state.

 

Meanwhile, at least seven people were arrested in the killing of the two infants of the Dalit family- two-and-a-half year old Vaibhav and 11-month-old Divya- in Haryana's Ballabgarh in a case of caste violence, said media reports on Thursday.

 

The two were burnt alive when some people set fire to their house in  Faridabad district of Haryana early on Tuesday.

The parents of the children were seriously injured in the incident.

Those who set fire to their house allegedly belong to the Rajput community.

The attack caused tension in Ballabgarh area of Faridabad district.

Reports said the  attack could be linked to  the arrest of 11 people last year in connection with some murders in the area.
 
Several policemen who were earlier deployed for security of the Dalits were suspended earlier.