'Raj Thackeray should be booked for treason: Kalbe Jawwad

Jaunpur, Feb 15 (UNI) Renowned Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad has called for ''Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray to be booked for indulging in treasonable acts.'' ''Thackeray's objectionable remarks on North Indians, which sparked violence in Mumbai, Pune and Nasik, were inauspicious for the country,'' he told reporters here last evening.

In Varanasi, the Maulana had yesterday said Mr Thackeray was on the path of Mohammad Ali Jinnh.

''If steps are not taken to check Thackeray's activities, the unity and integrity of the nation would be in danger, the Maulana told to newspersons.

''There must be an effective check on the politics of regionalism and casteism...Raj is doing all this to gain cheap popularity,'' he maintained.

On Sunday last, Mumbai police had registered a case against Mr Thackeray at the Vikhroli police station under sections 117, 151 and 153 (a) of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly making provocative speech against North Indians that sparked violence in Mumbai.

The MNS workers had manhandled some North Indians, besides vandalising their property such as taxis and shops.

UNI XC-ATI VD RK1524