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‘Police studying Raj’s speech’

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Monday promised stern action if anything objectionable was found in Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s speech at Shivaji Park here.

On Saturday, during a function held to celebrate the second anniversary of his party, Mr. Thackeray targeted North Indians once again.

In a statement, Mr. Deshmukh said the Mumbai Police Commissioner was examining Mr. Thackeray’s speech. He said Maharashtra had an inclusive culture and people of all communities lived in peace. People from other States had played a crucial role in the State’s development. They would be protected and they need not fear anyone. Anyone promoting hatred among communities would be dealt with firmly, he said.

Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil told journalists that the police were examining the speech and would inform the Home department if any action was to be taken. He condemned efforts by Samajwadi Party’s Abu Asim Azmi “to cash in on” the situation and create further discord.

At a press conference earlier in the day, Mr. Azmi said he would set up a self-defence cell and a helpline to help distressed North Indians.

Mr. Patil said no one should take the law into their own hands and the government was capable of looking after its citizens. What Mr. Azmi had said would also be under the scanner.

PTI reports:

Hinting that Raj Thackeray may escape action, the Mumbai police on Tuesday said it was “difficult to find an explicit threat or provocation” in the text of his speech.

“He [Raj] was very careful this time and it seems he has consulted legal experts before making the speech. For taking action, the offence needs to have been complete. And it is difficult to find an explicit threat or provocation in the speech text,” a senior police officer said in the wake of widespread demand for action against the MNS chief.

In the speech, Mr. Raj described the events that led to his arrest in February chronologically and asked the audience if the action taken against him was right or wrong. “We have to make sure that the case stands in court. During the speech, Mr. Raj has also made an emotional appeal to ward officers and ration card officers ‘with folded hands’ not to give licences for petty gains. This can be used as a defence [by him],” the officer said.

As for use of foul language, it attracts action under various Sections of the IPC but it is a non-cognisable offence, Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor told reporters here.

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