The Hindu : National : Paswan seeks arrest of Raj Thackeray

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Paswan seeks arrest of Raj Thackeray

NEW DELHI: Accusing the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader, Raj Thackeray, of hurting the religious sentiments of people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday demanded his immediate arrest for causing divisions in the society.

“Creating divisions in the society on religious lines is dangerous for national unity,” he told reporters when asked to comment on Mr. Thackeray’s opposition to the observance of ‘Chhath Puja’ and celebration of Uttar Bharatiya Diwas in Maharashtra by people from North India. He alleged that even the Shiv Sena was trying to divide the country on religious lines.

Demonstration

Mr. Paswan said the LJP had held a demonstration in the national capital against the remark and demanded his immediate arrest.

The LJP chief said none should interfere with someone’s religious faith and wondered whether Mr. Thackeray would stop celebrating ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ if he were in Delhi.

He demanded that Maharashtra Government lodge a case against Mr. Thackeray and arrest him.

Congress had on Friday demanded that Mr. Thackeray apologise for making the “highly condemnable” remark.

To another question, Mr. Paswan demanded reservation for dalit Muslims and dalit Christians and said the Constitution should be amended accordingly.

Charge against Mayawati

He accused Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati of “diluting” reservation rules in the State and said the LJP would hold demonstrations at all district headquarters of the State on February 5 to demand quota for dalits.

Mr. Paswan said the Group of Ministers on dalit affairs, headed by Union Minister Pranab Mukherjee, was likely to submit its report next month. — PTI

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