By IANS,
New Delhi : Rejecting charges of inaction by the central government in the wake of attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra, Home Minister Shivraj Patil Tuesday said three advisories have been sent to the state government on this issue and underlined that such incidents should not be repeated anywhere in the country.
“We have issued three advisories to the state government,” Patil said in response to concerns raised during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha (Upper House of parliament) over the recent wave of attacks targeting Hindi-speaking north Indians in Maharashtra.
“We have expressed our anguish and anger and I have also personally talked to the chief minister on the issue,” he said.
“Anyone from any part of the country can work and live anywhere. No one can stop them. What has happened, should not happen in Maharashtra or anywhere. That is as it should be,” he stressed.
When the opposition insisted that Patil clarify if the advisories have been issued under Article 355, Patil said: “When we issue advisories to the states we do not specify that it is under article 355 or any other article.”
“It asks the government to take appropriate action failing which the centre would be forced to use further provisions under the law,” he added.
“The letters issued are dated 19th, 20th, 21st (today) and… 20th,” he added.
Unmoved by Patil’s assurances, the opposition staged a walkout after which Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan adjourned the house for an hour.
“We do not subscribe to the idea of divisive politics. I also do not doubt that the state government lacks any intention to curb such elements,” Patil said.
Patil’s clarification came following incidents of violence in the western state as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists went on a rampage Tuesday, setting on fire 38 buses, damaging 350 taxis and injuring several people by pelting stones, to protest the arrest of party chief Raj Thackeray.
The police fired tear gas shells and baton charged to control the mobs.
Thackeray, whose MNS workers Sunday attacked non-Maharashtrians appearing for a railway board recruitment examination, was arrested from Ratnagiri in Maharashtra early Tuesday.