By IANS,
New Delhi : A day after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad called for a ban on the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the arrest of its leader, the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Monday joined in the demand terming the MNS’ attacks on non Maharashtrians as “regional terrorism”.
“The activities of the MNS have become a serious threat to the security and integrity of our country. The activities of MNS can be termed as regional terrorism for which Raj Thackeray along with his activists should be arrested,” said Minister of State for Home Shakeel Ahmad of the Congress.
Railways Minister Lalu Prasad had Sunday condemned the attack by MNS activists on northern Indian candidates appearing for railway board examinations in Mumbai and the tearing up of their answer sheets.
Lalu Prasad had called MNS chief Raj Thackeray a “mental case”.
The Samajwadi Party equated the activities of the MNS with terrorists in Kashmir and demanded the immediate arrest of Raj Thackeray and a ban on the Maharashtra party.
“There is no difference between the MNS and the terrorists in Kashmir. Both are spreading terror. Both are challenging the constitution of this country. The government should immediately ban the MNS and arrest Raj Thackeray to uphold the rule of law,” said Kamal Akhtar, Rajya Sabha MP of the Samajwadi Party.
The BSP also joined the chorus in terming MNS a terrorist outfit and demanding a ban on it.
“The Shiv Sena was born out of a feeling of hatred, earlier its target was South Indians, and after that the target were Muslims. Now it is spitting venom against north Indians. Organisations playing divisive politics need to be banned,” said Shahid Siddiqui, senior BSP leader.
Many north Indian candidates were injured and some had to be admitted to hospital after the MNS attack Sunday.
The MNS was founded on March 9, 2006, in Mumbai after splitting of the parent party Shiv Sena. Its president and founder is Raj Thackeray. The party has courted controversy for its anti-north Indian propaganda and use of violent means to pursue its political agenda.