Government today said, the prevailing communal situation in the country does not indicate existence of alleged intolerance in the country. Replying to queries in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the number of communal incidents were 650 this year up to October and that the responsibility of dealing with communal violence rests primarily with the respective state government.<br/><br/>The Minister said as per available information, a total of 39 Sahitya Akademi awardees who received awards from 1976 onwards, one Lalit Kala Akademi awardee and three Padma awardees have reportedly returned their awards to the government. Mr Rijiju said to maintain communal harmony in the country, the central government assists the state governments and Union territory administrations in a variety of ways like sharing of information, sending alert messages and advisories and sending central armed police forces personnel besides others.

Government today said, the prevailing communal situation in the country does not indicate existence of alleged intolerance in the country. Replying to queries in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the number of communal incidents were 650 this year up to October and that the responsibility of dealing with communal violence rests primarily with the respective state government.<br/><br/>The Minister said as per available information, a total of 39 Sahitya Akademi awardees who received awards from 1976 onwards, one Lalit Kala Akademi awardee and three Padma awardees have reportedly returned their awards to the government. Mr Rijiju said to maintain communal harmony in the country, the central government assists the state governments and Union territory administrations in a variety of ways like sharing of information, sending alert messages and advisories and sending central armed police forces personnel besides others.