New Delhi : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday broke his silence on the Dadri lynching incident and appealed to fellow countrymen to join hands in fighting communalism in the country, reports Times of India.

Speaking at a rally in Nawada ahead of Bihar elections, Modi said citizens must follow President Pranab Mukherkjee's words on maintaining India's core values of diversity and tolerance.

President Pranab Mukherjee a day earlier had said that tolerance was core to India's survival. Modi though had been slammed by his political opponents for not commenting on the unfortunate incident in Bhisada village where a Muslim man was lynched over rumours of consuming beef.

The 'long-drawn' silence of the Prime Minister though ended on Thursday when he said that the country must remain united. "Hindus and Muslims should work together to fight poverty. India has to stay united. Only communal harmony and brotherhood will take the nation forward," Modi said.

"Hear the speech of President Pranab Mukherjee yesterday. There can be no bigger thought than that. President has shown us the way, and we have to walk on that path. Only then will we be able to live up to the expectations of the world," the PM said.

Pranab Mukherjee had earlier said that Indian civilization has flourished due to "core civilizational values and adherence to them".

Hitting out at communal forces who were trying to gain political mileage from the Dadri incident, the PM said, "I want to tell the people that because of politics and for petty gains, people are making irresponsible statements. I appeal to citizens not to take them seriously ... It is time to shun politics of polarization."

TOI/LY