Don't label Hindus as terrorists: Sena to BJP

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has objected to the arrests made in connection with rationalist Narendra Dabholkar's murder, Bhima Koregaon violence and Naxals. “Don't accuse Hindus of being terrorists. Arrest the culprits, not innocents. Hindus fought for Ram temple in Ayodhya and faced police action during the regime of the Congress government and it's not expected in the tenure of BJP-led Union and state government,” Uddhav Thackeray said.

Mr Thackeray triggered anger over the arrests over the last few days by the ATS, CBI, Pune police in the Dr Dabholkar, Pansare murders and Bhima Koregaon violence. He strongly opposed these in his party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’. Mr Thackeray wrote, “We have no option other than trusting the investigating agencies as they are saying that they have proof regarding the involvement of the accused. We are not opposing it. But, we need to find out who the accused in the murders are. They should be punished. Agencies should not put innocent people behind bars.”

He added, “The words ‘Hindu terrorist’ were used by Congress leader P. Chidambaram and the BJP opposed it as they were In opposition. At the time of Ram Mandir agitations, Hindutvawadi workers faced police action and were treated as terrorists by the Congress government.”

“But now, the BJP is in power in the Centre and state, then why are Hindus being blamed as terrorists,” asked Mr Thackeray, warning the BJP-led government.