Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hailed an Asansol Imam and a Delhi man, both of whom lost their sons to violence but appealed for peace.
"Messages of peace by Imam Rashidi and Yashpal Saxena even after losing their sons to hatred and communalism show that love will always win over hatred in India," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.
"Congress' foundation also rests upon compassion and mutual brotherhood. We will not let win the ideology of BJP/RSS which spreads hate," the Congress chief said.
Union Minister for Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal later hit out at the Congress chief saying he was fooling people by talking about love.
Imdatullah Rashidi, the Imam of Noorani Masjid in West Bengal's Asansol which has faced communal clashes over last week following Ram Navami processions, has urged people not to make his son's death an issue and restore peace in the area.
"I have lost my son. I have not lodged any police complaint. Do not make it an issue. If you love me, then restore peace," Noorani Imam Rashidi said.
The youngest son of the Imam, Hafiz Sabkatulla, was found dead with injuries on his head and throat at the Asansol district hospital on Wednesday.
The news of Imam's appeal went viral on social media on Friday. Most applauded the Imam for showing great restraint in a moment of humongous personal grief. It was hailed as something worth emulating by Indians all around the country. Asansol MP and Union Minister Babul Supriyo too praised the Imam on Twitter for being an inspiring figure.
Last month, father of 23-year-old Ankit Saxena, who was stabbed to death in west Delhi's Khyala area on February 1, had also appealed for not to link his son's murder with religion.
Saxena was stabbed to death by the family members of his girlfriend, who were against their relationship. Saxena was in a relationship with a 20-year-old Muslim woman.
"I don't want any inflammatory statements. I feel very saddened by what happened, but I don't want anyone to create a hostile environment against Muslims. I have nothing against any religion," Yashpal had said.
