The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(MNS) chief Raj Thackeray gave a strong speech targeting the Muslims in an aggressive and sharp manner. He also reminded the community to live within the parameters of the country’s laws and avoid indulging in activities that will affect their status. He was addressing a rally at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. It was here that the MNS chief said that the community comprising of Muslims should not indulge in any drama as the MNS knew how to defeat them in their own game.
He said,“ Why did the Muslims hold a morcha some time ago? What was the reason for the show of strength? What message did they intend to send across? The morcha today is an answer to that morcha. Henceforth, it will be a stone for a stone and a sword for a sword. No other country gives you(Muslims) so much freedom. Don’t destroy what you have”
The venue of the rally was a display of saffron, with Thackery looking at pitching himself as the true heir to his uncle and the founder of the Shiv Sena Bal Thackery, who was well known for his Hindu push. The party is currently being led by his cousin Uddhav Thackery, tied up with the Congress forming the government in the state of Maharashtra.
The rally saw the participation of MNS workers from across Maharashtra with a large number of BJP members present too. Thackery’s speech seemed more like a general attack on Muslims both those belonging to India and those from Bangladesh and Pakistan.
He also elaborated on various aspects of the CAA and the NRC and said that the country was in need of stringent laws to show out the illegal Muslim immigrants. According to him there are two crore Bangladeshi Muslims living in India.
He said that the Bangladeshi and Pakistani immigrants should be kicked out of the country and at the same time questioned the Modi government on whether the introduction of the CAA was an attempt to divert attention from the slowdown in the Indian economy.
It was clear that Thackery was appropriating the Hindu narrative and said that Hindus shouldn’t just think of their religious roots when faced with violent riots.
Those condemning the aggressive stance taken by him asserted the basic right of citizens to peacefully express dissent and said that there was no reason why the government should have any problem with it.
