We are not Indians

In the wake of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s hate campaign against north Indians and non-Marathis, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck a patriotic note by saying that “all of us are Indians” and there is no difference between people coming from various regions.

“What’s the difference between north Indians and Indians? All of us are Indians,” a bench of Justices B N Aggrawal and G S Singhvi quipped, while posting for Monday a PIL seeking judicial inquiry into the killing of a Bihari youth, Rahul Raj, in a police encounter and the murder of another north Indian in Mumbai last month.

On Tuesday the apex court had observed that if there was a “political will” such hate campaign would not occur in the country. It had also cited Article 355 to drive home the point that the Union government had adequate powers to give necessary directions to the State to prevent such incidents.

The bench of Justices Aggrawal and Singhvi said it would hear the matter along with another related PIL which had earlier sought appropriate directions to the government to ensure that the country’s unity was not threatened by vested interests fomenting regional chauvinism.

Incidentally, the apex court had directed the petitioners in both cases to suitably amend their petition and come before it when the matter is taken up for further hearing.

During the brief arguments on Thursday, the petitioner, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, submitted that he was compelled to approach the Supreme Court as the authorities in Maharashtra had failed to respond to his request for providing adequate protection to north Indians in the state.

“When I made representation to all senior officials including the Mumbai police commissioner, I was threatened that I would meet the same fate if I do not get out of the place,” Singh told the bench after being asked as to why he did not approach the authorities concerned with his plea.

Singh asserted that he had every right to approach the apex court as a number of his relatives staying in Maharashtra were under constant fear due to the ongoing hate campaign.

The apex court queried Singh as to whether he was aware that Article 355 of the Constitution to which the latter replied in the affirmative and read out the portion in the court on the advice of the bench.

According to Article 355, ‘It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’

Rahul Raj, 23-year-old resident of Patna was killed in a shootout in a BEST bus on October 27 and a day later Dharam Dev Rai (25), a resident of Faizabad in UP, was beaten to death on a local train in Mumbai.

On Tuesday, the apex court had observed that the issue was political in nature and “political will” was required to curb it.

“Can it be done through an order of this court? It is a political question, not a court issue. If there is a political will it can be tackled,” a bench of Justices B N Aggrawal and G S Singhvi observed.

 

RJD MPs resigned

Several Rashtriya Janata Dal Members of Parliament, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council submitted their resignations to party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday to protest the campaign against north Indians initiated by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the Shiv Sena in Mumbai.

On the auspicious day of Chhath Puja, the RJD MPs and MLAs submitting their resignation letters to RJD supremo and Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Around 140 MLAs and 35 MPs submitted their resignation letters, protesting against the attack on North Indians by MNS and Raj Thackeray in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

रेल मंत्री लालू यादव ने अपील की है कि यदि राज ठाकरे के ख़िलाफ़ 15 नवंबर तक कठोर कार्रवाई नहीं हुई तो बिहार के सभी सांसदों और विधायकों को इस्तीफ़ा दे देना चाहिए.

पटना में छठ से पहले पत्रकारों से बातचीत में लालू प्रसाद यादव ने बिहार के सभी राजनीतिक दलों से अपील की कि राज ठाकरे और शिव सेना के ख़िलाफ़ कारगर कार्रवाई के लिए राज्य के सभी सांसदों और विधायकों को मिलकर एक साथ आगे आना चाहिए.

लालू यादव ने कहा कि राज्य के सभी राजनीतिक दलों को चाहे वो सत्ता में हो या बाहर, इस मुद्दे पर 15 नवंबर से पहले एक राय हो जाना चाहिए.

उन्होंने कहा, “यह वोट की राजनीति के लिए नहीं है. बिहार के लोगों के हित में सभी दल आगे आएं. सुशील मोदी, पासवान, बसपा, हमारी पार्टी और अन्य दलों को भी एकसाथ इस मुद्दे पर आगे आना चाहिए.”

आंदोलन की चेतावनी

लालू प्रसाद का कहना था कि बिहार के रहनेवाले राहुल राज के एनकाउंटर के बाद जिस तरह से सभी राजनीतिक पार्टियों ने एकता का परिचय दिया था, उसी तरह से आगे की लड़ाई लड़ने की आवश्यकता भी है.

उन्होंने राहुल राज और अन्य उत्तर भारतीयों के मारे जाने की न्यायिक जाँच और राज ठाकरे की गिरफ़्तारी की माँग की.

लालू यादव ने बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार पर भी निशाना साधा और कहा कि उनकी पार्टी और उनकी सहयोगी भारतीय जनता पार्टी शिव सेना से मिली हुई है.

ग़ौरतलब है कि लालू प्रसाद ने सभी पार्टियों के इस्तीफ़े की बात ऐसे समय पर की है जब बिहार की सत्ताधारी जनता दल-यू ने पिछले दिनों कहा था कि यदि राज ठाकरे पर कार्रवाई नहीं की गई तो उनके पाँच सांसद इस्तीफ़ा दे देंगे.

मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार ने माँग की थी कि राज ठाकरे पर मकोका लगाया जाए, महाराष्ट्र सरकार को बर्ख़ास्त किया जाए और राहुल राज के एनकाउंटर की न्यायिक जाँच कराई जाए.

 

Attack in Maharashtra Sadan

A group of 25 youths, attacked the Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi, causing heavy damage to furniture and properties. The youths chanted slogans against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Raj Thackerary. They also left pamphlets demanding the arrest of Raj Thackeray under the National Safety Act (NSA). They claimed themselves as “The Rashtrawadi Sena”. It is not known whether they belonged to Bihar or UP.

The incident occurred at Maharashtra Sadan, which is located in a posh area. Political leaders, dignitaries and other eminent personalities from Maharashtra always stay in Maharashtra Sadan. The attack on Maharashtra Sadan is a disturbing trend and it may vitiate the atmosphere in Maharashtra.

 

MNS on US terror watch list

Patna: A group of non-resident Indians (NRI) has asked the U.S. to put Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on the “list of terrorist organisations which are out to hurt the humanity”.

“We requested the U.S. department of state to put Raj Thackeray and his group Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on the list of terrorist organisations which are out to hurt the humanity,” said a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice by the US-based NRI group called Humane Mumbai.

NRI Ravi Verma, who hails from Katihar in Bihar, formed the group Humane Mumbai.

“There are several Indians of Marathi origin who were among the first to join the group Humane Mumbai,” Verma told IANS over phone from California.

After the hue and cry in India in the wake of the attacks on non-Maharashtrians, the Indian diaspora is also not taking this lightly, he said.

“The Indian diaspora prays that there is never an insane (person) like Raj Thackeray in the US or UK who starts a US or UK Navnirman Sena and instigates attacks on the Indians living there,” Verma said.

Verma said Humane Mumbai initiated the process of putting Raj Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on the infamous terror watch list Thursday.

Once Raj Thackeray is on the terror watch list, they will be under surveillance by the US for their activities, he said.

Verma, CEO of Telecommand Software and Services in the Silicon Valley, said there was widespread dismay among Indians throughout the world over the persecution of people of North Indian origin living in or visiting Maharashtra.

Indians of Marathi origin are particularly embarrassed at the events back home, he said.

The protests continued in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh against the attacks on non-Maharashtrians.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Steel Minister Ramvilas Paswan have demanded a judicial probe into the killing of Rahul Raj, a youth from Patna, in a Mumbai bus by police Monday and the lynching of Dharamdev Ramnarain Rai from Uttar Pradesh the next day.

Another youth, Pawan Kumar from Bihar’s Nalanda district, was allegedly killed by MNS activists in Mumbai after he had gone there to take a railway recruitment exam.

 

Bihari MP, MLA going to resign

The politicians from Bihar seem to be a divided lot yet again. Just a few days after they showed unity in slamming Raj Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Lalu, Nitish and Paswan indulged in blame game on Sunday.

When the all-party delegation from Bihar under the leadership of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met PM Dr. Manmohan Singh a few days ago, the vowed to fight for the right of Biharis in Maharashtra. However, Nitish Kumar and changed the course and tried to take mileage alone by announcing that his party MPs (Lok Sabha) will resign en mass if Raj Thackeray is not brought to book by November 6. It is no secret that JD(U) is in the opposition at the Centre and elections are due just after 3 months.

RJD supremo and Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav took strong exception to Nitish Kumar’s unilateral decision and dared JD(U) to ask its MPs (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), MLAs and MLCs if the party is really serious about the dignity and respect of Bihari people. Lalu offered to submit the resignation of all his party MPs, MLAs and MLCs by November 15, if Nitish, Paswan and other leaders from Bihar come to an unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed both RJD and JD(U) over this resignation drama. “The statement by Lalu Prasad Yadav is nothing but another spell of rhetoric,” said BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who also hails from Bihar. He also criticised the JD(U) for taking such a decision in a huff without consulting the NDA partners. “The BJP feels that the north Indians in Maharashtra should be spared of the politicians and politics,” said Rudy.

 

Sachin Lier and bad Sport

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) finally announced the Credit Policy. All key rates including the CRR, repo rate and reverse repo rate were kept unchanged. The GDP growth forecast was lowered to 7.5%. The RBI admitted that moderating growth remains a concern. the Central Bank expects resumption of export growth during the next quarter. It also hopes that net capital flow will meet the external financial requirements. The RBI has decided to enhance liquidity if pressure on the market persists. Here are the key features of RBI’s Credit Policy: All key rates including CRR, repo rate and reverse repo rate unchanged SLR norms unchanged GDP Growth Forecast lowered to 7.5% Inflation target was unchanged at 7% Credit Growth target lowered to 20% from 29%

In a shocking development, former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, who can’t even be compared with the great Sachin Tendulkar, accused him of lying during the Sydney Test to save his team mate Harbhajan Singh. In his latest autobiography, “True Colors of My Life”, Adam Gilchrist has called Sachin Tendulkar “dishonest”, “liar” and “bad sport”. It could be a publicity stunt by Gilchrist to gain publicity for his book

The Indian Rupee continued to slide further, as it opened at an all-time-low of 50.15 against the US Dollar. Yesterday, it was closed at 49.81 against the USD. For the first time in history, the Rupee breached the psychological barrier of 50.00, causing panic in the market. As the trading progresses today, Rupee is feared to dip further.

Angry students protesting against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and its chief Raj Thackeray, set Motihari Railway Station on fire. Ironically, the mob fury was so high that GRP (Government Railway Police), RPF (Railway Protection Force) and police personnel fled from the spot, leaving the Railways Station at the mercy of rampaging students. Later, CRPF intervened and fired several rounds in the air to disperse the mob. The CRPF personnel had to resort to lathicharge and lobbed teargas shells to control the mob violence. Railway properties have been attacked elsewhere in Bihar for the third consecutive day. According to Railways, properties worth Rs. 5 – 7 crore have been destroyed by angry students. Several Bihar-bound trains including Rajdhani, Sampark Kranti and others have been cancelled, causing high inconvenience to the passengers. The passengers are not even able to get correct information regarding the cancellation, departure or reschedule of trains.

Even as the global economy has reached a bottom low, the Asia-Europe meeting will begin in Beijing to discuss important issues including the economic cooperation. India makes its debut at the ASEM with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (an Economist himself) representing India. Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected to provide vital suggestion on how to handle the global economic crisis. The ASEM has 45 countries with China taking the centre stage. The ASEM group includes 27 EU countries, the European Commission, ASEAN (10 countries), India, Pakistan, Mongolia and ASEAN Secretariat.

A sport-loving country of over 1.3 billion people and great cricketers across the world are outraged over the latest remarks made by former Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist. Adam Gilchrist, who was considered as a “saint” in modern day cricket, called legendary Sachin Tendulkar as “dishonest” and “bad sport” in his latest autobiography, “True Colours My Life” which will be released next week. In his book, “True Colours of My Life”, Adam Gilchrist showed his true colours by raking up the racism row between Harbhajan and Symnonds during the Sydney Test. He accused Sachin Tendulkar of lying and being dishonest. According to Adam Gilchrist, Harbhajan Singh had made a racial remark against Andrew Symonds, but was let off with mild punishment only because of Sachin Tendulkar’s “false testimony”. Adam Gilchrist, who retired from test cricket recently, not only questioned Sachin Tendulkar’s honesty, but also criticised Harbhajan, Indian team, Indian Board (BCCI) and Australian Board (Cricket Australia) over this issue. Gilchrist’s latest tirade against Sachin Tendulkar has upset millions of cricket fans across the globe. Since Gilchrist is the skipper of Hyderabad Deccan Chargers in the IPL, it would be interesting to see, what price he will have to pay for his “irresponsible” and “condemnable” outburst against a legend, who has nothing to prove in cricket.

 

Railway station set ablaze

Situation in Bihar continued to be tense, as thousands of students have come out in open protesting against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and its chief Raj Thackeray. All Bihar-bound trains have been cancelled or disrupted following the violent protests by angry students. As many as 15 Bihar-bound trains have been cancelled and seven trains have been rescheduled. The prominent among the cancelled trains are New Delhi-Guwahati Sampark Kranti Express, Delhi–Malda Farakka Express, Puri Express, New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express and Howrah Express and the Sealdah Express. The Mahananda Express, the Northeast Express, the Howrah Express and the New Delhi-Guwahati Rajdhani Express have been rescheduled. Meanwhile, the Railways have refused to run trains in Bihar unless the Bihar government provides adequate security to trains and staffs. The issue has taken a political colour with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar coming to face-to-face over this issue. The cancellation of trains has caused immense trouble to people in New Delhi and Patna, as thousands of people were left stranded.

Motihari railway station in Bihar was set ablaze on Thursday by students protesting against Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, a senior Railways official said in Patna on Thursday. The ongoing violent students’ protest took an ugly turn when a portion of Motihari railway station was set ablaze after the students ransacked the station. A Railways source in Motihari said that offices of the station master and others were set ablaze by students. “Offices of the railway station are burning as no move was made to stop it,” sources said. After the police was informed about the incident, a fire brigade vehicle was sent to railway station but it was badly damaged by students. The local administration and the police remained mere mute spectator to the violence.

 

Motherfucker of the Decade

Motherfucker of the Decade Mumbai, October 9: Toughening his stand against migrants, specially north Indians, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray indicated on Thursday that his party would launch more intense agitation on the issue. “Whatever happened so far was a trailer, a teaser. There are more to come,” the belligerent MNS chief said during an interactive session for online edition of a leading Marathi newspaper. You come as a paying guest and claim right of ownership over the house. This won’t be tolerated,” Thackeray said. “In Maharashtra, nine crore Marathi people are taken for granted and the remaining two crore, who are outsiders, are appeased,” he added. MNS would contest Lok Sabha polls, Raj said, adding that he would not go in for poll-alliances at the cost of interests of Marathi people. Ruling out his contesting elections, Raj said the Nano project would not have gone to Gujarat if he were the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Raj riled ruling politicians for failure to make an offer similar or better than the one made by Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to Tata. “Our politicians only think of their own constituencies, not the entire state. The Nano project is coming up in Sanand which is not Modi’s constituency. We lack this kind of vision in our state,” he said. “There is a new culinary dish being churned out in the political arena and it is called ‘spineless politician’ like the boneless chicken,” Raj said (means Raj is boneless Chicken) . “Give me power and I’ll fix everyone and everything using the language they best understand,” he added. “After my agitation (against non-Marathis), Marathi people are walking about with pride in their own state,” he claimed. Besides Mumbai, there is also unrest among Marathi population in rural Maharashtra as north Indians are making inroads into their area, the MNS chief said. “Former chief minister of Maharashtra, late Vasantdada Patil once said ‘there is Mumbai in Maharashtra but there is no Maharashtra in Mumbai’. Outsiders are deciding our future. Who has given them this right? They should go back to their native lands and make Mumbai out of their cities and towns,” Raj said. Asked if he would go for a poll alliance, Raj said, “I am not deliberately looking for any political alliance. But, I am open to any political party approaching us to form an alliance. I will, however, not abandon my agenda (the Marathi issue) at any cost.” On the emerging trend in Mumbai cooperative societies of selectively allowing people like vegetarians and specific communities, Raj said, “this is absolutely wrong and is being done purposely with support from parties like BJP.” Commenting on the likeness between him and his uncle and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, Raj said, “I was born and brought up in that family. I do not consciously imitate him; it’s in my blood. My likeness to him is a matter of natural influence, something I cannot avoid.”

 

Terrible of the Decade

Terrible of the Decade Mumbai, October 9: Toughening his stand against migrants, specially north Indians, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray indicated on Thursday that his party would launch more intense agitation on the issue. “Whatever happened so far was a trailer, a teaser. There are more to come,” the belligerent MNS chief said during an interactive session for online edition of a leading Marathi newspaper. You come as a paying guest and claim right of ownership over the house. This won’t be tolerated,” Thackeray said. “In Maharashtra, nine crore Marathi people are taken for granted and the remaining two crore, who are outsiders, are appeased,” he added. MNS would contest Lok Sabha polls, Raj said, adding that he would not go in for poll-alliances at the cost of interests of Marathi people. Ruling out his contesting elections, Raj said the Nano project would not have gone to Gujarat if he were the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Raj riled ruling politicians for failure to make an offer similar or better than the one made by Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to Tata. “Our politicians only think of their own constituencies, not the entire state. The Nano project is coming up in Sanand which is not Modi’s constituency. We lack this kind of vision in our state,” he said. “There is a new culinary dish being churned out in the political arena and it is called ‘spineless politician’ like the boneless chicken,” Raj said (means Raj is boneless Chicken) . “Give me power and I’ll fix everyone and everything using the language they best understand,” he added. “After my agitation (against non-Marathis), Marathi people are walking about with pride in their own state,” he claimed. Besides Mumbai, there is also unrest among Marathi population in rural Maharashtra as north Indians are making inroads into their area, the MNS chief said. “Former chief minister of Maharashtra, late Vasantdada Patil once said ‘there is Mumbai in Maharashtra but there is no Maharashtra in Mumbai’. Outsiders are deciding our future. Who has given them this right? They should go back to their native lands and make Mumbai out of their cities and towns,” Raj said. Asked if he would go for a poll alliance, Raj said, “I am not deliberately looking for any political alliance. But, I am open to any political party approaching us to form an alliance. I will, however, not abandon my agenda (the Marathi issue) at any cost.” On the emerging trend in Mumbai cooperative societies of selectively allowing people like vegetarians and specific communities, Raj said, “this is absolutely wrong and is being done purposely with support from parties like BJP.” Commenting on the likeness between him and his uncle and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, Raj said, “I was born and brought up in that family. I do not consciously imitate him; it’s in my blood. My likeness to him is a matter of natural influence, something I cannot avoid.”

 

Raj Thackeray has been sent to judicial custody

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Terrorist group MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has been sent to judicial custody till November 4. Raj Thackeray’s bail plea was rejected by the Bandra Court. Although Raj got the bail in the Chetna College violence in Kherwadi after producing a bail bond of Rs. 15,000, he was denied the same in the Kalyan violence case. Raj was taken into custody by the Kalyan police. Since the Mumbai Police did not demand Raj’s custody, he was sent to judicial custody by the court. Raj Thackeray was charged with provoking violence under Section 153. He was also charged for “creating mischief”, “intent to cause riots” and “causing damage to property”. The court’s decision came as a major setback for Raj Thackeray and his supporters who expected Raj to be released on bail. Security has been beefed up in and around Mumbai, as the police anticipate more trouble after the rejection of Raj Thackeray’s bail plea.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray [Images], who was arrested early Tuesday morning, has been sent to two-week judicial custody by a court in suburban Bandra in Mumbai where he was produced around 2.50 pm. Two truckloads of Rapid Action Force personnel were stationed outside the court for security. Even before Raj Thackeray was produced in the Bandra court in Mumbai, over 2,000 slogan-raising supporters had gathered there, and the police resorted to a lathi-charge to bring the situation under control around Tuesday noon. MNS supporters resorted to stone-pelting at police vehicles outside the Bandra court. The supporters also stoned a police van carrying detained MNS activists. Reports from across Mumbai spoke of voluntary bandh at many places, and many schools shut down for the day anticipating trouble. Local trains reported a slight delay, while there was no disruption in road traffic on the main arteries. Violence erupted in several parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra following the arrest of MNS chief Raj Thackeray in the early hours of Tuesday from the Circuit House in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Angry activists of the MNS came out on the streets after the arrest of Raj Thackeray and attacked several taxis and autorickshaws at Mumbai Central, Parel, Borivali and other parts of the city. Incidents of arson were also reported from the Mulund check naka in the eastern suburbs. A mob of party workers have also blocked the Mumbai-Goa highway. The police said security has been beefed up across Mumbai to meet any eventuality in the wake of the arrest of Raj Thackeray. The State Reserve Police has also been deployed near Raj Thackeray’s residence in Dadar. Raj Thackeray was arrested under several Indian Penal Code sections, including assault, obstructing government officials from discharging their duty and giving provocating speeches. Raj Thackeray was arrested for Sunday’s brutal attack on north Indian railway exam candidates by MNS workers. A case was registered in this connection against Raj Thackeray and his supporters at the north-west Mumbai police station of Kherwadi, after MNS workers attacked 13 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai to protest against “inadequate representation” to locals. The arrest of the MNS chief comes against the backdrop of mounting pressure on the Maharashtra government to rein in Raj Thackeray and his activists. Earlier, a combative Raj Thackeray had justified Sunday’s attack on north Indians and warned the state that it will have to “regret” the consequences in the event of his arrest. “Arrest me and be ready to bear the consequences…. You will have to regret,” Raj Thackeray, who was attending a ceremony at Bahadursheikh Naka in Chiplun in the state on Monday, said. “If Raj is arrested, entire Maharashtra will be set on fire,” he threatened. Meanwhile, incidents of violence were reported across Mumbai allegedly by the MNS activists. Taxis parked at Tardeo in south Mumbai were damaged by some unknown miscreants who fled on motorcycles, the police said. Two separate incidents were reported in the north-west suburb of Borivali where miscreants attempted to burn trucks, they added. There were also reports of some unidentified men throwing stones at the suburban resident of Congress spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam. Meanwhile, schools in suburban Mumbai have been closed as a preventive measure following the arrest of MNS chief. Bsides, security has been beefed up in Mumbai to thwart any untoward incident, the police said. Reacting sharply to his leader’s arrest, MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar said, “There was no substance in the allegations against Raj Thackeray. The state government was acting at the behest of the Centre.” Parkar described the arrest of Raj Thackeray as “vengeance” and political “conspiracy” by the Maharashtra government.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today demanded “stringent action” against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray , saying that arrest is not enough to deter him from spreading his campaign against north Indians. “Raj Thackeray is repeatedly organising attacks on North Indians. So by just arresting him is not enough and more stringent action should be taken against him,” Prasad told reporters one the sidelines of a railway seminar. Terming Thackeray as the leader of antisocial elements, Prasad said he is spreading “hatred and divisive campaign” against north Indians which is not good for a secular democracy. “Even Dalits were not spared and attacked by his men,” he added. Clubbing MNS with the Bajrang Dal, the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief reiterated his demand for banning both the organisations. “Like the Bajrang Dal, Thackeray’s party is also spearheading a hatred campaign and both should be banned,” he said. Prasad announced that those students who could not appear in the railway examination due to the disruption created by the MNS, would be allowed to appear again. A date for re-examination would be announced soon, said Prasad. Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh felt that Thackeray could be out on bail soon and non-Maharashtrians could be targeted again. Congress MP Priya Dutt said by arresting only Thackeray, attacks on north Indians could not be stopped. Paswan, Union minister for steel, chemicals and fertilisers, said, “Thackeray will be out on bail soon and again indulge in violent activities. The Centre should take steps like use of Article 355 or something similar to control the situation in Maharashtra.. The prevailing situation in the state was “dangerous” and the administration has “failed” to do anything, he said. SP general secretary Amar Singh described Thackeray’s arrest as a “reactionary” step by the Maharashtra government. “Raj Thackeray’s arrest by Mumbai police was a reactionary step and by afternoon he would be released, and no action will be taken against him,” he said. Accusing state Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil of playing the “divide and rule” game, Singh said they will never benefit from it. “The state government is playing the divide and rule game even as Raj Thackeray and his goons have been on a rampage. He will be released from custody by afternoon and his men will again start attacking north Indians,” Singh said. He said Maharashtra is an integral part of the country and Maharashtrians are loved by everybody but now everybody hates Maharashtrians, just like people from other parts of the country. “Even President Pratibha Patil is from Maharashtra, and still this (attack on north Indians) is happening in the state,” he said. Congress MP Dutt, while reacting to the news of the MNS chief’s arrest, felt that despite this step, attacks on non-Maharastrians will not stop. “This is ongoing…such attacks will not stop. Today, north Indians are being targeted, tomorrow people from other regions could be attacked. Such types of incidents should not be allowed to take place, and leaders cutting across party lines have condemned such incidents.”