The Hindu : Front Page : Nirupam seeks apology from Mahajan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 11, 2005

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Nirupam seeks apology from Mahajan

NEW DELHI: The controversy over Pramod Mahajan's alleged anti-Bihar remarks found its echo here on Saturday with people from the State holding a protest demonstration and demanding an apology from the BJP leader.

Several people, under the aegis of `Bihari Front,' held a demonstration and burned Mr. Mahajan's effigy, terming his statement an attack on the sensibilities of the people of Bihar.

Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said Mr. Mahajan's "provocative" comments had hurt the feelings of people of Bihar and demanded that he withdraw the statement and apologise immediately.

"There is anger among the people. How can he draw parallel between Biharis and Africans. Are they not part of his country," Mr. Nirupam, who recently quit the Shiv Sena to join the Congress, asked. He said Mr. Mahajan and his party had travelled across Bihar seeking votes in the just-concluded Assembly elections and now after gaining power they had developed a hatred toward the State and its people.

Mr. Mahajan had remarked that those who had come to Mumbai from other countries and States "should not indulge in dadagiri (bullying tactics) and concentrate only on studies''. After his comments created a furore, he said on Friday that his statement had been "deliberately misinterpreted." — PTI

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