Shiv Sena questions Maharashtra CM’s sensitivity

Mumbai: Sharpening its attack against demonetisation, Shiv Sena on Friday asked the BJP-led government if it has any sensitivity towards the pain that people are going through. Referring to the recent instance of a woman removing her clothes outside the Reserve Bank of India’s regional office in New Delhi, the Sena also said it would be the “worst government in 10,000 years” if it fails to understand the woman’s suffering.

The woman, who was with her child, was in tears on Wednesday when turned away by guards after repeated requests to exchange her junked notes. When the guards tried to forcefully move her away from the entrance, the woman in disgust took off her clothes and sat topless in front of the iron gate, stunning the onlookers as well as the security personnel.

“The plight of the hapless mother looked like a government-sponsored Nirbhaya tragedy. We want to ask the chief minister, whose side are you on; demonetisation or this helpless woman ...If the government cannot see and understand the suffering of this woman, then such a ruthless and deaf regime would not have been in existence in the last 10,000 years,” the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

The Sena said the incident reminded one of the Taliban regime. “If you term the act of this woman as nationalism, you need a Talibani doctor to treat your brains. Such atrocities against women happen only in Talibani regimes,” it said.

Training its guns on Mr Fadnavis for supporting demonetisation, the ally said, “The CM’s argument was perfect. But if his stomach does not churn on seeing the plight of the woman before RBI then it is his helplessness. Just making noise against corruption and exploiting the poor is not eradicating corruption,” it said.

Sena was referring to the CM’s statement in which he said demonetisation should not be criticised as only a few with black money were suffering because of the decision.