Supreme Court flays Raj Thackeray's remarks

New Delhi, Feb 22: The Supreme Court today expressed its unhappiness over the recent statements made by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray relating to North Indians, which had resulted in violence in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who heard the matter, said, "We understand the situation and what was happening. This is one country and we will not accept son of soil theory," the Bench observed. The Bench, however, refused to pass any direction on two PILs, in which one was filed by advocate Arvind Shukla seeking direction to the Election Commission to derecognise Raj Thackeray's MNS for his controversial remarks against north Indians.

Thackeray's remarks were intended to cause hatred among people and if he and his party activists were not checked from indulging in unlawful activities it may lead to a civil war, the petition contended.

The impact of Thackeray's remarks was such that retaliatory attacks on Maharashtrians have been reported from Jharkhand, the petition maintained.

It is also mentioned in the petition that people who are involved in cultural activities and film industries from other parts of the country have also been attacked.

The petitioner said every citizen has a right under the Constitution to move around freely and settle in any part of the country.

The bench said since the matter primarily relates to law and order situation, it could be brought to the notice of the State Government and petitioners could approach the Bombay High Court.

ANI