The Hindu : Thackeray warns against `separating' Mumbai from Maharashtra

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Sunday, Aug 17, 2003

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Thackeray warns against `separating' Mumbai from Maharashtra

Nasik Aug. 16. The Shiv Sena supremo, Balasaheb Thackeray, has warned against any move to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and said his party would fight tooth and nail any such attempt.

Mr. Thackeray was speaking at a public meeting at Nasik Road after inaugurating the first flyover in the city last night.

``Our alliance with the BJP has stood the test of time. It is continuing for the last 20 years,'' he observed.

Mr. Thackeray advised the youth to reflect on what the country had achieved after 56 years of independence.

Flays mahants

Mr. Thackeray assailed the mahants for ``bickering'' over petty issues and said taking a holy dip in rivers is not going to save Hindu religion.

``People come here and take holy dip in rivers and ponds, thinking that Hindu religion will be protected by such actions. This is wrong.''

``It is also sad to see that mahants (head priests) and sadhus are fighting among themselves over various issues,'' Mr. Thackeray said. ``If we, people in politics, fight over issues, it is different. But if holy men fight, it is disappointing.''

Mr. Thackeray was apparently referring to the controversy over the appointment of a mahant of the Chatur Sampraday Akhada, which was opposed by some head priests.

Though the Shiv Sena chief did not visit the venues of the Sinhasta Kumbh Mela being held here, some mahants met him today and urged him to put pressure on the Centre in the wake of a proposal to take over the lands of Hindu mutts and temples.

UNI, PTI

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