Date:29/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082961101500.htm

National

We will not brook MNS violence: R.R. Patil

Meena Menon

MUMBAI: The State government will not tolerate the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena taking the law into its own hands, Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil said on Thursday, referring to the MNS deadline for all shops and establishments to put up Marathi nameboards by August 28.

Mr. Patil said here the government was examining the contents of a letter sent out by MNS president Raj Thackeray threatening shopkeepers with dire consequences if they did not adhere to the schedule.

Ensuring that shops displayed Marathi nameboards was the responsibility of the municipal corporation and already about 4,000 cases were filed against violators in Mumbai.

The law was taking its own course and there was no need for the MNS to intervene.

Nor could the MNS demand that Marathi signboards be larger and letters bolder than those in other languages as there was a High Court stay on the issue. The police were asked to take immediate action if the MNS indulged in violence, he said.

Mr. Patil also criticised the Shiv Sena, which was in power in the State and which was elected to the Mumbai Corporation for a second term, for failing to do its duty on the issue of nameboards.

Rahi Gaikwad reports:

Menahwile, the Bombay High Court restrained Mr. Raj Thackeray and his partymen from making inflammatory speeches on the issue of nameboards and indulging in acts of vandalism. It also directed the government to take effective measures to counter law and order problems.

The State has to file a reply, in four weeks, what specific steps it would take against Mr. Thackeray and the MNS for issuing threats to shopkeepers.

Twenty-two people have been arrested so far in connection with law and order violations.

In the wake of threats from the MNS, the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association had filed a petition in the court.

Court objection

Justice J.N. Patel took exception to the threatening tone used in the July 14 letter. The MNS had sent a second letter as well, to State officials, asking them to take action.

The court questioned what authority the MNS had to issue ultimatums. In the light of its unfettered vandalism, it sought a written assurance from the State that law and order breaches would be dealt with strictly.

The court held the State responsible for any law and order breach and directed it to compensate or seek compensation for the damage shopkeepers had suffered.