Railways minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday took up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the issue of attacks on north Indians by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in Maharashtra and demanded action against those involved in them.
"I spoke to the Prime Minister and home minister Shivraj Patil, drawing their attention to the violence unleashed against poor and hapless people in Mumbai and they have assured me that they would do the needful," Prasad told PTI.
"Strong action should be taken against those involved in the attack and they should be put behind bars. The organisation involved in the ugly incidents should not be granted any recognition (by the Election Commission)", he said.
Terming the troublemakers as 'anti-national', Lalu said no one has the right to violate the fundamental rights of the people.
About MNS leader Raj Thackeray, Prasad said, "He is desperate and such type of leader will never be successful in the country. The Government should take action against him and his supporters".
Appealing to the people not to be misled by leaders who want to divide the country, the RJD chief said, "People should exercise restraint and not get provoked by divisive elements".
Meanwhile, unperturbed by incidents of attacks on north Indians in Mumbai, activists of the Samajwadi Party's youth wing today resorted to Gandhigiri by offering flowers and sweets to passengers of a train heading towards the financial capital.
At least 20 workers of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha reached the Allahabad junction at the time of the arrival of the Bombay Mail.
After the train halted, they entered the bogies and inquired which of the passengers were Maharashtrians.
Some of the passengers hesitatingly disclosed their identity, wary of a possible retaliation to the recent happenings in Mumbai, but were pleasantly surprised as the activists offered them a rose each and also gave them sweets to eat.
They also said no matter how Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navanirman Sena behaved with north Indians, they would continue to shower affection on people of Maharashtra.