The Hindu : National : Thackeray wants “Hindu suicide squads”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 19, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Thackeray wants “Hindu suicide squads”

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Wednesday advocated the creation of “Hindu suicide squads” to fight the scourge of “Islamic terrorism.”

The remarks immediately drew sharp condemnation from the party’s ally — the Bharatiya Janata Party — which said Mr. Thackeray must behave responsibly. The CPI too reacted angrily saying Mr. Thackeray should not attempt to instigate communal strife.

In a controversial editorial in the Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna, Mr. Thackeray said: “The threat of Islamic terror in India is rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure existence of Hindu society and to protect the nation.”

Mr. Thackeray went on to say that “the Hindus were safe during the Moghul invasion only because the Maratha warrior Shivaji had the courage to raise his swords.”

“Heartening”

The Shiv Sena leader’s comments came in the backdrop of the ‘Hindu bomb’ allegedly planted by members of Hindu right wing activists in Thane’s Gadkari auditorium in which seven persons were injured.

“It was heartening to know that it was the supporters of Hindutva who had exploded the bomb in the theatre. But it was sad to know that it was planted to hurt the Hindus and I am ashamed about it,” Mr. Thackeray said wondering why a theatre should be attacked.

The Congress criticised Mr. Thackeray’s suggestion, saying it was “subversive, anti-national and prejudicial to the secular fabric of the nation.”

“The Congress strongly condemns the remarks said to have been made by Mr Bal Thackeray with regard to the formation of suicide squads. This is a clear call not only to lawlessness and violence but will be also the death knell for peaceful democracy,” its spokesperson, Jayanthi Natarajan, told reporters in New Delhi. “We condemn this irresponsible remark and reject it with contempt.”

Ms. Natarajan also expressed concern over reports about BJP workers allegedly firing in the air during party celebrations in Madhya Pradesh. “Such violence cannot be tolerated in a peaceful society and we call upon the Government of Madhya Pradesh to take action against the public display of illegal arms and violence.” — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National