Ask Bhiwandi rioters to show restraint: Thackeray

MUMBAI: Alleging that ‘fanatic’ forces in Bhiwandi, which witnessed riots last week, have a hand in desecration of his wife Meenatai Thackeray’s statue, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray said that the rampage in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra over the issue was a ‘flare-up of emotions’.

“There is a limit to our restraint,” he said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna, adding that the government “should first ask those ‘fanatics’ in Bhiwandi to exercise restraint before appealing to the Shiv Sena for the same.”

Observing that the entire state had mourned the death of his wife ten years ago, Mr Thackeray said that she was still deeply revered by Shiv Sainiks and therefore yesterday’s incident led to violent protests across the state.

Mr Thackeray alleged that the government was turning a blind eye to the incendiary speeches by Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi. While remembering his wife, Mr Thackeray emotionally said “time goes by fast, but her memories still unsettle me at times.”