Raj faces political backlash; Amar Singh files complaint

MUMBAI: Even as the state government is seen trying hard to contain the fallout of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray’s comments on north Indians, the Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Amar Singh has lodged a complaint of threatening against Mr Thackeray. Meanwhile, more parties have joined the controversy and sensing the overall mood, the Mumbai police have stepped up vigil.

Mr Singh also wants the Election Commission to ‘take care’ of MNS for blatantly violating guidelines. “The recent incidents have demonstrated that no one is safe in Mumbai,” he said, referring to an alleged attack on Amitabh Bachchan’s house. While the city police denied reports of any attack, some miscreants are reported to have pelted bottles at Mr Bachchan’s house. Mr Singh also expressed displeasure at the “way the police have behaved in the whole episode”. The SP leader, who accused chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh of being a ‘mute spectator’, also ridiculed deputy chief minister RR Patil’s statement that SP leaders have the habit of speaking too much. “Mr Patil has the habit of doing too little,” he retorted.

The Azad Maidan police on Monday said it had registered a complaint under Sections 506 (2) (threatening) and 34 (common intention) against Mr Thackeray and MNS activists late on Sunday night. The city police have arrested more than 25 MNS activists since Sunday night for rioting. Mr Singh said Mr Thackeray had threatened him and north Indians with dire consequences and also abused them.

Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Sunday night directed the police to probe the violent incidents, which had erupted in different parts of the state following Mr Thackeray’s remarks. “Violence against any community will not be tolerated, be it on migrants or on any others. And if, anybody indulges in such an act, strict action will be taken against the culprits, whomever they are,” he said.

Meanwhile, more leaders have joined the issue. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Uttar Pradesh Vikas Parishad president Munna Tripathi has demanded the immediate arrest of Raj Thackeray. “If the state government doesn’t act, I will go on a fast unto death from tomorrow (Tuesday) at Azad Maidan, “ the little-known leader said.

Congress secretary and Lok Sabha member from Mumbai North-West Priya Dutt has appealed to the people to shun regional biases. “We are Indians first and then comes our religions and castes. Let us not negate a positive action which has happened,” she said. whole issue as an attempt at “garnering petty political mileage, designed to destroy social harmony”. Urging the state government to take stern measures to curb such activities, BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad, without naming either the MNS or its chief Raj Thackeray, said every Indian had the right to travel and work in any part of the country and nobody could object that.