Don't force anyone to say Jai Shri Ram: Naqvi

New Delhi : You can hug a person to make him say "Jai Shri Ram" but no force can be used, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, he said: "Jai Shri Ram gala daba kar nahi bola jata, balki gale laga kar bola jata hai (You cannot force anyone to say Jai Shri Ram by strangling but by hugging him)."

The BJP leader was referring to the attack on a young Muslim man in Jharkhand who died after being beaten by a mob which first accused him of theft and then forced him to say "Jai Shri Ram".

Terming the incident as "unfortunate", Naqvi said there was no justification for such incidents.

"We are completely dedicated to our agenda of development and there is no place for any destructive agenda."

The Minister accused "mischievous people" of indulging in such violence only to tarnish the government's image. They will face the law, he added.