Raj Thackeray to address North Indians in Mumbai

Mumbai, November 13

Reacting to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s decision to attend an event organised by the Uttar Bhartiya Mahapanchayat Sangh, the BJP, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday said that he should first apologise to the North Indian community.

Thackeray, known for a strident anti-migrant stand, would be attending a gathering of the mahapanchayat sangh, an organisation of North Indians living in Mumbai, in suburban Kandivali on December 2. Congress city chief Sanjay Nirupam said in the past, Raj Thackeray and the MNS had bullied North Indians living. “Everyone knows... how this community was terrified by their bullying acts. If Thackeray wants to have a dialogue with the community now, there is no harm. But he should first tender an unconditional apology to them,” Nirupam said.

Mumbai BJP general secretary Amarjeet Mishra echoed Nirupam’s demand. “Spitting venom against the poor and unemployed North Indians has backfired on Thackeray and his party. Now, the MNS chief has bowed before the growing power of North Indians. He must first apologise to the community,” Mishra said.

SP’s Abu Asim Azmi said: “This is an opportunistic move. Raj Thackeray and his party have been reduced to zero. He snatched the means of livelihood of thousands of unemployed migrants. Hope he stops this dirty politics now.” — PTI

SOFTENS STANCE AFTER JOB-SNATCHING CHARGE

• The MNS had launched violent agitations targeting North Indians in the past, alleging that they were snatching away jobs from the local Marathi-speaking youth
• The Uttar Bhartiya Mahapanchayat Sangh, which works for the welfare of the North Indians living in Mumbai, last month invited Raj Thackeray to attend its gathering
• MNS spokesman Sandeep Deshpande on Monday said the organisers wanted Thackeray to attend the event and clarify his stand on the North Indians, and he has accepted the invitation