Date:18/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/18/stories/2008021854731200.htm

National

Give up politics of violence: Fernandes

Special Correspondent

Be an Indian first, Raj Thackeray told

NEW DELHI: Asserting that the politics of violence will not make him a politician, Janata Dal (United) leader George Fernandes has advised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray to seek forgiveness from all those who were insulted, offended and terrorised by the MNS cadres.

Mr. Fernandes also advised him to read the Constitution of India which gave the people equality of opportunity in public employment, the right to freedom of speech, cultural and educational rights and protection of the interests of minorities.

In a letter to Mr. Thackeray, the former Union Minister asked him to be an Indian first before being a Maharashtrian. He also told him to seek forgiveness from all those insulted and offended by the MNS cadres. “Make efforts to bring them back,” he suggested, while commenting on the exodus of north Indians from Mumbai and Nashik.

“I know that you want to be a politician but the road you have taken cannot enable you to become a politician. What made you terrorise and assault the taximen of Mumbai and the workers who had come from north India, particularly Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,” the JD(U) leader and MP said. Mr. Fernandes recalled his initiative in forming the Mumbai Taximen Union and contesting the Lok Sabha election in 1967 from Maharashtra, despite hailing from Karnataka.

“All through that poll campaign, I responded by saying that like Maharashtra, Karnataka also belongs to India and I am fighting the elections of India,” he said.