Shiv Sena Chief criticises Govt on Hindu terrorist issue

Mumbai, Nov 1 (UNI) Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray today criticised the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police for arresting three Hindus by describing them as 'Hindu terrorists' for their alleged involvement in the Malegaon and Modasa bomb blasts on September 29.

The ATS has arrested Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Army Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay and Sameer Kulkarni in this connection.

In an editorial appeared in the party mouthpiece 'Saamna' titled 'Hindudahashatwadi aahet kay? Sadhvi, Major and Colonel (are Hinuds terrorists? Sadhvi, Major and Colonel', Mr Thackeray, a hardcore proponent of Hinduism, wondered whether it was an international conspiracy to brand Hindus as terrorists.

He said, ''This is an attempt to spoil the life of Army Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay and Sameer Kulkarni, a lawyer from Indore, by arresting them.'' Defending the trio, Mr Thackeray said, ''If the Islamic terrorists are conducting a series of blasts across the country, in this situation how one can blame if a Sadhavi or a Major come forward.'' He added that in this country, Hindus were always being oppressed.

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