Raj to cops: ‘Go soft’ on MNS workers

By Prasad Patil

Mumbai

Aug. 27: In an open letter written to the Maharashtra police on Wednesday, MNS chief Raj Thackeray urged them to go soft on his party workers, who will take to streets from Friday if shopkeepers in the state do not put up Marathi signboards.

In the letter, Mr Thackeray has said, "They (MNS workers) are well-educated and have good careers. My Marathi police brothers, MNS party workers will take to the streets only because of their love towards Maharashtra and Marathi. These bhaiyas, baniyas and some suryaji pisal (betrayers) among us do not understand the language of love and request. The MNS will have to speak the language they understand. These children (MNS workers) will sacrifice their careers and take to streets only to protect your culture."

Mr Thackeray has also asked the policemen to remember that the MNS workers are like their children. In an emotional appeal, Mr Thackeray says, "In Pune, my well-educated party workers were beaten up so badly that some of them had blood coming out with urine. Young educated girls and boys were implicated in such cases which can destroy their lives. Remember, these are all your children. Like other children, they can also keep themselves engaged in enjoying music and having fun. But then Maharashtra and Marathi language will be destroyed. Will it be acceptable to you and your next generations?"

Mr Thackeray held a meeting of his party workers at Rang Sharada in Bandra. He asked his party workers to circulate his letter in all the police stations and in every house of police colonies.

In the meeting, Mr Thackeray also said that while the policemen have to vacate their police quarters after they retire, bhaiyas living in unauthorised slums are given free homes.

According to a BMC rule made in 1961, it is compulsory for shops and establishments to display their names in Devnagari script. However, the rule was never implemented. After the MNS’ recent protest for Marathi name boards, the BMC had also asked the shops to follow the law and put up "Devnagari" name boards by August 28.

The MNS chief told party workers to start demonstrations from Friday, if the Marathi name boards do not come before the BMC deadline. "I am not doing for vote politics. If needed, I will decide not to contest elections but continue the fight for Marathi.

He also targeted Gujarati businessmen for not respecting Marathi.