(Image source from: })

"Fringe elements" do not just exist in BJP, but also in other parties and religions, MoS for Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said. Narendra Modi government is taking steps to curb them; getting PM to respond to such groups will only encourage those groups.

During an interaction at the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), Rathore said, “There are fringe elements and one has to try and restrict them. The government is taking steps to curb them. The Prime Minister has given show cause notices and asked them to restrain themselves.” “The fringe elements are not just in BJP… they are also in other parties and other religions. But, they are not the majority opinion. The point is they are not the majority opinion. If every time a fringe element speaks anywhere and the response to that should come from the Prime Minister is giving that fringe element too much of importance,” he said.

The minister said that comments made by some of these fringe elements could not be seen as a reflection on the government. “If any one amongst them (ministers in the government) takes a wrong step… please make hue and cry,” he said.

When asked about attacks on churches and vandalism at a convent school in Delhi Rathore told reporters, “Some of these are being termed as acts of the government and that itself is ridiculous. There are certain fringe elements from whichever religion, perhaps with vested interests, perhaps this could be a sabotage. But whatever it is, the Delhi Police has to get to the bottom of it, catch the perpetrators and prevent such acts further.”

By Premji