MSHRC gets complaint against Raj Thackerey

Mumbai, Feb 16 (UNI) A complaint has been filed with Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) for alleged non-action of the State Government and police against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackerey and his party workers.

The complaint was filed by more than 50 people, including social activist Medha Patkar, and handed over to the MSHRC yesterday.

The complainants have urged the commission to ask the State to take action under section 217 of the IPC and also under other relevant sections against the police officers, who indulged in a criminal omission to not have invoked stern action against Mr Thackeray, whose provocative speeches led to breach of peace in the state. It also demanded granting of compensation by the State to the affected persons or their families.

The complaint will be called upon for hearing in the next few days, Ms Patkar's spokesperson told UNI here today.

In the complaint, the group of people has alleged that the metropolis and other parts of the State, particularly Nashik, has been witnessing unprovoked attacks on innocent citizens for the past many days. These attacks have taken a toll on life and caused loss of property. There have been instances whereby innocent citizens, including hawkers and taxi drivers, were mercilessly roughed up, and their wares destroyed, the complaint said.

It also said that the State, by not acting effectively against the miscreants, has failed in carrying out its obligations of providing equal protection of the law within the territory of India (Article 14). Targeting and attacking the migrants from north India is a violation of Art 15, as it prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

By compelling the people to leave their place of residence, citizens right to move freely throughout the territory of India (Art 19-d), to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India (Art 19-e) and to practise any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business (Art 19-f) has been violated, the complaint added.

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