Centre for strong action against Sena, MNS

The Centre on Sunday asked the Maharashtra government to take strong action against groups responsible for the recent happenings in Mumbai, a veiled reference to the Shiv Sena and the MNS in the wake of their campaign against migrants and actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Interjecting Chief Minister Ashok Chavan while he was addressing the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security here, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the whole nation wants strong action to be taken against people responsible for recent happenings in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena and the MNS have taken a stand that Mumbai belongs to Marathi people only and people born and brought up in the state have first right over it.

Shiv Sena had also labelled Shah Rukh Khan as “traitor” for his comments that Pakistani players should have been included in IPL matches. Its activists tore down posters of the star’s forthcoming film My Name is Khan.

Mr. Chidambaram intervened when Mr. Chavan was referring to the need for strengthening of law.

Shiv Sena contention a pernicious thesis: Chidambaram

Rejecting Shiv Sena’s contention of ‘Mumbai for Maharashtrians’ as a “pernicious thesis”, the Centre on Monday said the financial capital belonged to all Indians who are free to live and work there.

On Sena threats to Australian and Pakistani players’ participation in the IPL cricket event in Mumbai, Home Minister P. Chidambaram asserted that he would “guarantee them full security.”

“We reject the thesis of the Shiv Sena. Mumbai belongs to all of India and all Indians are free to live and work in Mumbai,” he said, while answering a question at a press conference here.

He said the Government of Maharashtra was competent to handle the situation and the Centre would extend help if sought. “If the government of Maharashtra seeks our advice, we will advise them but I am sure they are competent to manage the situation,” Mr. Chidambaram said.

“But, as a matter of policy, we reject the theses of the Shiv Sena and the MNS. These are pernicious theses and they have to be rejected,” he said.

Shiv Sena had on Sunday objected to the RSS view that Mumbai is for all Indians and said the city belongs only to Marathis.

On the safety of Australian and Pakistani players participating in the IPL, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Let Australian players come to India. Let Pakistani players come to India. Let them play in Mumbai and I will guarantee them full security“.

Sena had said its activists would not allow Australian players to play IPL matches in Maharashtra to protest the attacks on Indians in that country. The party has been opposing sporting ties with Pakistan contending that the neighbouring country has been supporting anti-India terrorists.