The Hindu : National : Police may take legal action against Raj

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Police may take legal action against Raj

Mumbai: The Mumbai police may initiate legal action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray if it finds any provocative content in his speech in which he re-launched his tirade against north Indians.

“We are going through the transcripts and if we find any provocative content in it, we will refer it to a legal team. Based on their advice, we may also initiate fresh legal action against Raj,” Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor told PTI.

In a speech at the Shivaji Park on Saturday, Raj had targeted the north Indians for trying to “invade” Marathi culture.

Referring to the celebration of Uttar Pradesh Day in the State, Mr. Thackeray said only Maharashtra Day should be celebrated here and even dared the government to arrest him for making the statement.

Mr. Thackeray had led a violent anti-north Indian campaign in February.

Mr. Gafoor said no incident of violence had been reported from any part of the city after the rally and credited it to the “precision” arrangements made by the police.

Ban MNS: Athavale

Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athavale on Saturday accused Mr. Thackeray of creating a Marathi-Hindi divide through his provocative speeches and demanded a ban on the MNS.

“Thackeray is behaving as if he is the sole custodian of the Marathi speaking people in Mumbai by opposing the Hindi speaking population. By doing this, he is bringing disrepute to the all-inclusive culture and tradition of the city,” Mr. Athavale said in a statement. — PTI

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