'Shocked at PM's silence': 13 opposition parties issue appeal on communal tensions

In a strong-worded attack against the PM for his silence, the signatories of the appeal said they were "shocked" at how Narendra Modi has "failed to speak against the words and actions of those who propagate bigotry and those who, by their words and actions, incite and provoke our society".

"This silence is an eloquent testimony to the fact that such private armed mobs enjoy the luxury of official patronage," it said.

The signatories include most major opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool, Nationalist Congress Party, CPI(M), DMK, RJD and others. However, the Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Aam Aadmi Party are not on the list.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid questioned the absence of some opposition parties in a tweet.

"SP, BSP, AAP wither?" he said as he shared the joint appeal on Twitter.

"We are extremely anguished at the manner in which issues related to food, dress, faith, festivals and language are being deliberately used by sections of the ruling establishment to polarise our society," it said.

The appeal comes amidst a rise in cases of communal clashes and heated altercations regarding matters of personal faith.

"We reiterate our firm conviction that our country will prosper only if it respects, accommodates and celebrates its many diversities in full measure," the appeal said.