Uproar in LS over MNS hate drive

NEW DELHI: The attack on North Indians in Maharashtra generated major uproar in the Lok Sabha on Monday, with demands that MNS chief Raj Thackeray be de-tained under MCOCCA and that he be disenfranchised. Members from JD(U), RJD and Samajwadi Party, most of them belonging to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, expressed grave concern over the attack on North Indians in Maharashtra and said it posed threat to national unity and integrity.

Shiv Sena leader Anant Gite sought to downplay the issue, saying it has been exaggerated and said North Indians in Mumbai and other parts of the state were not under threat. His statements on the issue evoked strong protests from several members, leading to an abrupt adjournment of the House for 10 minutes.