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Advani promises to punish mob that lynched dalits

"We will urge the state government to probe the incident so that stringent punishment is given to those responsible for committing the crime," he said while addressing a public meeting at his residence in New Delhi on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti.

He said it was sage Valmiki who had made acquainted the people with the life and times of Lord Ram, with whom India's social ethos is identified.

Advani said that while Valmiki made the vast canvas of the ancient Indian society known to the masses, Babasaheb Ambedkar was a prominent maker of modern India. "Both these tall figures came from one community, which has made tremendous contribution to the nation from ancient times," he said.

Advani said that when he was information and broadcasting minister in the Morarji Desai government, a delegation of top filmmakers and producers had come to meet him. He had told them that given the country's social ethos, they should make films on the Ramayana, which would not only be in the national interest but serve commercial interests too. "And we saw how the television serial became a raging hit across the country."

Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party chief Madan Lal Khurana urged the government to issue a stamp on Valmiki and declare his birth anniversary a public holiday.

He said those worshipping Ram should also worship Valmiki who gave Ram a place in the Indian psyche.

Others present included Delhi BJP MPs Anita Arya and Lal Bihari Tewari. The meeting was organised by the Delhi BJP's scheduled caste unit.

PTI