In the aftermath of the Kathua rape and murder case, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu warned that communal forces were working to fracture social harmony for their own political agenda.

"Unfortunately, various forces in the country are trying to divide the nation for their narrow political gains," Naidu said at the launch of the book 'Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: Vyakti Nahin Sankalp' at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Naidu, who has deep roots in the BJP's ideological fountainhead, the RSS, went on to say that a nationalist is someone who respects all individuals living in the country.

"Nation means all living creatures of this land, unless one respect each human being, one cannot be called a nationalist," the vice president said.

Naidu's remarks came against the backdrop of heightened communal tensions in Jammu and Kashmir following the horrific gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim Bakerwal girl in Kathua district. 

The minor was repeatedly raped while being held captive at a temple for several days. Police said the premeditated attack was as a way to terrify the Bakarwals into leaving the area.