BJP advises Thackeray to behave more responsibly, respect law

New Delhi, Jun 18 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today condemned its ally Shiv Sena's chief Bal Thackeray over his call for the formation of Hindu suicide squads to fight terrorism.

Mr Thakery should behave in a more responsible manner, BJP vice- President Venkaiah Naidu said talking to mediapersons here.

''People should not take law into their hands, as it is the responsibility of the government to curb terrorism,'' he said.

Mr Thackeray in the controversial editorial in the Sena's mouthpiece 'Samanaa' said, "The threat of Islamic terror in India was rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure existence,'' the Sena supremo said in the editorial.

Mr Thackeray also said, "the Hindus were safe during the Moghul invasion only because the Maratha warrior Shivaji had the courage to raise his swords against them." His comments followed in the wake of a bomb allegedly planted by members of Hindu right wing activists in Thane's Gadkari auditorium in which seven people were injured.

Mr Naidu advised Mr Thackeray to respect law. He said the BJP believes in democracy and the Constitution of the country. ''The problem of terrorism can be tackled by democratic means,'' said the senior BJP leader.

UNI NAZ LPB KN2045