Tharoor criticises Modi's silence on attacks against Muslims

Kolkata: Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silences" on the string of incidences against the Muslim community, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor Saturday urged him to refrain from sending out wrong signals to the country.

"Sometimes even silences can hurt. There were these string of incidences against the Muslim community from the Pune techie being killed to Shiv Sena legislator attacking a Muslim during his Ramzan fast and shoving food down his mouth and half a dozen other incidents," Tharoor told the media on the sidelines of the INFOCOM 2014 here.

"One simple statement from the PM could have sent such a signal of reassurance, instead he doesn't even go to Eid parties, doesn't host or attend Iftar parties. That sends the opposite signal. I urge Modi to live up to his own words and not send such a signal to the nation," Tharoor said.

Attacking Modi's ignorance of the Muslim community, the former union minister called for inclusivity on the part of the Modi government.

"Leading the country is truly showing inclusiveness. It is also about not avoiding certain issues and challenges," he said.

Clarifying his stance on supporting Modi's Swacch Bharat campaign, the Thiruvananthapuram MP stressed the government needs to "show real financial muscle and political will" behind the slogan and come up with sustainable long-term plans.

"I can't merely accept things at face value. I admire the right things being said by Modi. They are very positive signals but signals alone are not enough," he quipped.