Mumbai violence a political conspiracy: Centre

The Central government on Friday condemned the targeting of North Indians in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra as the political class cutting across ideological spectrum demanded stern action against breakaway Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray and his marauding party activists.

"It is condemnable. It is a political conspiracy," Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said replying to questions at a press conference in New Delhi.

Asked to comment on the demand to arrest Thackeray, he evaded a direct reply saying it was for the state government to act.

"Law and order is a state subject and it is for the local government to take suitable action," he said.

Jaiswal said the Home Ministry has already asked the state government to take strong and necessary action to bring the situation under control.

He said that India cannot be divided and everyone had the same right to stay in the country.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has already asked Maharashtra government to take immediately steps against those indulging in violence against non-Maharashtrians and provide protection to the citizens.

While Congress has dubbed the attacks as a divisive agenda not only of Raj Thackeray and his party but also of his mentor and teacher Bal Thackeray and Shiv Sena, BJP has denounced the 'rabid violence designed to destroy social cohesion and harmony' in Maharashtra.

The incidents have come in for sharp criticism from chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal has demanded a case of sedition against Raj Thackeray and his supporters.