Anti-RR Patil forces behind riots: Raj

MUMBAI: Raj Thackeray on Friday gave a new twist to the debate over the ongoing violence in the state by accusing ‘anti- RR Patil’ forces of fuelling the riots.

According to the Maharashtra Navanirman Sena chief, a large section of disgruntled elements in different political parties is out to discredit the state home minister, RR Patil. This section is behind the Dalit protests, he said. “The alleged desecration of an Ambedkar statue in Kanpur was just a trigger,” Mr Thackeray believes.

Addressing mediapersons at his party’s headquarters in central Mumbai, he drew attention to another incident where a Dalit is alleged to have raped a girl and killed her. The incident is believed to have taken place at Khairlanji, where a Dalit family was killed by a group of non-Dalits recently. These Khairlanji killings sparked violent protests across Maharashtra last month. Around fifty persons from the village were arrested in connection with the case so far.

Mr Thackeray demanded action on those responsible for the rape and the subsequent death of the girl. “Why no body is helping the girl’s family,” he asked. He demanded a probe into the incident and asked the government to book those responsible.