How 2015 was marked by the Intolerance Debate

Dadri lynching created political storm, ignited intolerance row in India

50-year-old Mohd Ikhlaq was beaten to death and his 22-year- old son Danish critically injured by a 200-strong mob which barged into their house following rumours that the family had consumed beef. Cow slaughter is banned in UP.

The lynching created a political storm with allegations and counter-allegations exchanged by various parties. Amidst debate in political circles over the issue, the government told Parliament during the Winter Session that though no inquiry has been initiated by the Home Ministry into the Dadri lynching, a report has been sought from the state government on the incident. On the other hand, the family members of Dadri lynching victim on December 06 told Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav that they did not want the probe to continue into the matter while expressing satisfaction over the action taken in the case. According to the spokesperson, the family members of the victim said they were satisfied with the action taken in the case so far and with the Rs 45 lakh compensation

Post Dadri lynching, writers, filmmakers, top scientist return awards to protest intolerance

The Dadri incident acted as a trigger for the flaring up of the intolerance debate in the country with writers, scientists and filmakers returning awards to protest 'growing intolerance' in India.

At least 75 members of the intelligentsia have returned national or literary awards, voicing fears that the country's robust democracy might be "coming apart" in the current atmosphere.

Voicing concern over incidents of intolerance, including the killing of Kannada thinker MM Kalburgi, a group of scientists later had petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee urging him to initiate "suitable actions". However, the government said that they had invited intellectuals for discussion in the wake of returning of awards by them. "I still don't know the reason behind returning of awards by them. As Union Home Minister I would like to know the reasons behind their returning awards. And if there is intolerance, I would like to know from them the reasons behind it and how it could be solved,” Rajnath Singh had said.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called writers returning awards 'manufactured revolt'

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on October 14 termed the steady stream of writers returning Sahitya Academy awards as a "manufactured paper rebellion" against the government in the wake of a "manufactured crisis".

Government says intolerance not growing in India

Opposition raked up "intolerance" issue in Parliament during the Winter Session to target the government which said "some amount" of intolerance had been there in the society even before the NDA rule which needed to be identified and dealt with firmly, instead of generalising it. Members of the Opposition parties like Congress, NCP and BSP sought to corner the government citing incidents of violence against minorities and Dalits to suggest "anarchy" and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take strict action against ruling party members for "provocative" comments. On the other hand, Rajnath Singh asserted that the government did not believe or agree that there was growing intolerance in the country. But he said the government would seek suggestions from MPs who say so.

Protest in India meant sedition, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi during intolerance debate in Parliament trained guns at Modi government in Lok Sabha as he listed some examples of alleged intolerance in the country. "Today in India, protest means sedition," he said in Parliament.

PM Modi adopts conciliatory tone towards Opposition

Adopting a highly conciliatory approach towards the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 27 said in Parliament that the government would rule by consensus and not force decisions through majority. He said in the Lok Sabha that 'India first' was the only religion and Constitution the only 'holy book' for his government which is committed to working for all sections and religions. Modi asserted that diversity was the strength of India and it needed to be nurtured. However, Modi did not specifically refer to any recent incidents arising out of intolerance or nor did he touch on the debate that is raging in the country over it.

When Aamir Khan joined intolerance debate...

On November 23, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan joined the chorus of intelligentsia against growing intolerance, saying he had been "alarmed" by a number of incidences and his wife Kiran Rao had even suggested that they should probably leave the country.

Chief Justice of India TS Thakur terms intolerance as a political issue

Chief Justice of India TS Thakur December 06 said there was no need to fear or worry till the judiciary was "independent". Terming the debate on intolerance as a "political issue", CJI said that there was no need to fear or worry till the judiciary upheld the rule of law.