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Opposition demands Thackeray's arrest

Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, Madhukar Pichad, and his counterpart in the council, Chhagan Bhujbal, demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and the immediate arrest of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray following his indictment by the Srikrishna Commission report for inciting communal passions in the state.

Pichad alleged that the chief minister made a fiery speech inciting communal fury while tabling the report, and instead of bringing the two communities -- Hindus and Muslims -- together, by rejecting the conclusions of the report the government has also dishonoured Justice B N Srikrishna, who was appointed after all the legalities were completed, he said.

Bhujbal said the government has not taken any action against those responsible for the riots as no mention to this effect has been made in the Action Taken Report. Council chairman N S Pharande had adjourned the House twice -- once for five minutes and another for 20 -- as vociferous Opposition members continued demanding the government's dismissal and Thackeray's arrest.

Pichad's speech was interrupted by ruling alliance members shouting slogans 'Vande Mataram', 'Shivaji Maharaj ki jai,' and 'Bal Thackeray Zindabad.'

Speaker Datta Nalawade adjourned the House for 15 minutes when ruling party members resorted to slogan shouting .

Expressing his doubts on the Marathi translation of the report, Pichad demanded it in its original English. The speaker assured Pichad and others that the English version of the report would be made available to those who needed it.

Pichad said the government has made an attempt to gain political mileage out of the report by stressing on the Hindutva card and keeping an eye on elections.

Narsayya Adam (CPI-M), Sambhaji Pawar (JD), Bashir Patel (SP) and Manikrao Khapale (PWP) strongly criticised the government for not revealing the facts before the House as there was no mention of any punishment to those responsible for the communal riots.

Bhujbal said the state government has intentionally created tension in Bombay by deploying police platoons at every nook and corner of the city.

Husain Dalwai (SP) tore up a copy of the ATR saying it protected the culprits involved in the worst-ever riots witnessed by the city.

Vyankappa Patki (JD) described the ATR as a "black one" meant to spread hatred in society as every page of it contained allegations against the minority community.

UNI

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