RSS takes on Shiv Sena, will protect North Indians

In a significant development, the RSS has opposed the current Shiv Sena campaign of “Maharashtra for Marathis”.

Though the BJP and the sena are poll allies, the RSS which decides the Sangh Parivar politics, has said it was opposed to discrimination on the basis of language and demanded steps to check disturbances on the emotive issue.

Taking the Shiv Sena and the MNS head-on, RSS on Sunday said that it has asked its volunteers to protect north Indians in Maharashtra and prevent spread of anti-Hindi feelings.

“The Sangh parivar has asked its volunteers in Maharashtra to try and prevent the spread of anti-north Indian and anti-Hindi feelings,” RSS leader Ram Madhav told reporters in Jabalpur.

“There should be no discrimination on the basis of language,” Madhav said, when asked about the agitations against Hindi-speaking people by Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray-led MNS in Maharashtra. Madhav, who came to attend an RSS programme, said the Sangh was of strong view that India was one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. He said steps should be taken to check disturbances being caused over the language issue and people’s rights should be protected.

To counter the Raj Thackeray’s MNS offensive, the Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray too has joined in the anti-North Indian chorus. Recently the State Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had to beat a hasty retreat after first announcing that Mumbai taxi drivers should be proficient in Marathi to run the vehicles and announced domicile restrictions. This was done after he was pulled up for trying to upstage the Sena’s anti-Hindi drive.

The Sena chief also attacked recently cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani for saying Mumbai belonged to all citizens of the country. Amitabh Bachchan, belonging to Uttar Pradesh, too drew flak for not doing enough for Mumbai, though raking in millions starring in films made in the metropolis.

In this context, it will be interesting to see how Shiv Sena reacts to the latest RSS salvo and whether it will impact on its ties with the BJP.

- Asian Tribune -