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Check ‘infiltration’ of outsiders: Raj

Thane: Two days after the Mumbai police asked him to desist from making speeches that can create a law and order problem, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray asked Marathi people on Saturday to be ready to check the “infiltration” of outsiders, especially north Indians, into Maharashtra and endorsed the idea of not giving “outsiders” the right to vote.

Addressing a rally of MNS activists here, he said the Marathi people should speak only their language and cited the example of south Indians.

Mr. Thackeray said many people gave provocative speeches and no action was taken against them. “But action is being taken against me…. However, I will not be cowed down and will keep talking about the mother tongue and its protection and preservation,” he declared amidst cheers from the crowd. He welcomed the demand made by actor Nana Patekar that outsiders should not be given the right to vote.

In New Delhi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil expressed inability to take any action against Mr. Thackeray on the basis of mere “warnings.” Mr. Patil said Mr. Thackeray’s speech was laced with “ifs and buts” and the police found no prima facie ground to take action against him. “We cannot take action on the basis of mere warnings. The case has to stand in the court of law. After all, a slap from the court hurts more,” he said here. — PTI

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