Nitish Kumar demands stern action against Raj

A day after he likened Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray to saitan (devil), Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday demanded stern action against him for his remarks against north Indians and the Chhath festival.

"Aise tatvo ke sath karai se nipatna chahiye," (People like Raj Thackeray must be dealt with strictly) Nitish Kumar in his chaste Hindi told reporters in Bihar. He said that filing one or two cases against Raj Thackeray will not solve the problem.

Nitish Kumar warned that Mumbai will be hit hard and face rough times if immediate attempts were not made to check Raj Thackeray in spreading hatred and violence.

Nitish Kumar said that Mumbai belongs to all. "Mumbai belongs to everyone in the country," he said to counter Raj Thackeray's stand.

On Sunday Nitish Kumar said Raj Thakeray is like a saitan, who has the habit of making remarks to continue being in the news by hurting people's sentiments and creating unnecessary controversy.

Raj Thackeray, nephew of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, described Chhath, Bihar's most popular festival, as a drama and questioned the annual celebrations in Mumbai of Chhath as well as the Uttar Pradesh foundation day.

Angry people across Bihar, including Patna protested for the fourth consecutive days against Raj Thackeray's remarks.

They burnt Raj Thackeray's effigies in Patna and other cities and also demanded action against him.