'We request you to stand firm against forces that divide us': IIM students, faculty write to PM Modi over hate speech row

In an open letter – which has been attested by 183 signatories, including faculty members and students of IIM-Ahmedabad and IIM-Bangalore -- the group has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak up against hate speech and caste-based violence in the country, reports NDTV.

The signatories have lamented that the PM's deafening silence on these issues was empowering the hate-filled voices.

"Your silence, Honourable Prime Minister, emboldens the hate-filled voices and threatens the unity and integrity of our country. We request you, Honourable Prime Minister, to stand firm against forces that seek to divide us," the students and the faculty said in their letter.

The letter dovetails the recent Haridwar Dharam sansad where some religious leaders urged people to take up arms against Muslims and called for genocide.

"Hate speeches and calls for violence against communities based on religion/caste identities is unacceptable," the letter said.

The signatories said that even though the Indian Constitution provided the right to practice one's religion in dignity, there was a sense of fear in the country.

"There is a sense of fear in our country now - places of worship, including churches in recent days, are being vandalised, and there have been calls to take arms against our Muslim brothers and sisters. All of this is carried out with impunity and without any fear of due process," they wrote.