Don’t teach us patriotism, Uddhav slams ally BJP
HITTING OUT Questions Centre on revoking Kashmir’s special status
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asking its political ally to refrain from “teaching us patriotism”.
“Don’t teach us patriotism. The day when we need to be taught patriotism hasn’t come yet,” Thackeray said, addressing the annual Dussehra rally of his party at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai tonight.
“An atmosphere was created that those who favour demonetisation are patriots and those who oppose it are traitors,” he said, referring to the central government’s decision to withdraw high-value currency notes from circulation last year.
Thackeray appealed to Shiv Sena workers to refrain from launching personal attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as was seen during a recent Sena protest against inflation.
The Sena leader also pointed to the incongruity of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) sharing power with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. “In Kashmir, what ideological bond do you Janata Party (BJP share with the PDP? Why hasn’t special status to Jammu and Kashmir been revoked?” he asked.
“We allied with the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) for Hindutva when the word ‘Hindutva’ was a taboo.
If they (BJP leaders) think we are of no use to them, we’ll see,” Thackeray said. “Let us know what is your definition of Hindutva,” he asked.
Expressing staunch opposition to Modi’s pet project, Uddhav said, “Who wants the bullet train? Improve rail infrastructure first.
This government says GST brings uniform taxation. Where is the uniformity? Even Paki- stan has cheaper petrol than us,” Thackeray said on high petrol and diesel prices.
He also made a special reference to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan R. Bhagwat’s speech this morning, warning the Central government about granting asylum to Myanmar’s displaced Rohingya Muslims.
The Sena chief said it was a very important statement with bearings on India’s own security and said even a Muslim nation like Bangladesh has refused to accept the Rohingya Muslims.
“I appeal to the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Sheikh Hasina) to please take away the lakhs of illegal Bangladeshis living in India, for our safety and security... we don’t even need them,” he said.
He warned the government to mend its ways “since everybody is now speaking out against you, your leaders like Yeshwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha, even your MPs, and the social media on the strength of which you came to power” since only 20 months are left before the next parliamentary elections.
We allied with the BJP for Hindutva when the word ‘Hindutva’ was a taboo. If they think we are of no use, we will see. Let us know what is your definition of Hindutva. UDDHAV THACKERAY, Shiv Sena