Mumbai: Former chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis came down heavily on Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikas Aghadi government over reciting Hanuman Chalis controversy and arrest of MLA Ravi Rana and his wife and MP Navaneet in the same connection. Fadnvais dared MVA government to enforce sedition charges against him for reciting the prayer.
Reacting on Rana couple’s arrest, Fadnavis said it is a very serious matter the way they were treated. “They had just said to recite Hanuman Chalisa before the CM’s bungalow. Did they say anything about protesting or attacking his house? Why there was so much opposition to Hanuman Chalisa? Do you expect us to recite the prayer in Pakistan if not here ?” The former CM asked.
Criticising MVA government further, the BJP leader said “Let’s not talk about merit or demerit of the prayer. But the ruling party has taken very arrogant stand on the issue.
You called hundreds of people to resist a woman. You arrest them (Rana couple) and celebrate as if you have won some war against Pakistan.”
Fadnavis termed the whole police action against Rana couple as biased and intentional. “On the first day, the MP was charged with different sections and the next day she was slapped with sedition charge. Did she topple the government it means? Isn’t it ridiculous? If reciting Hanuman Chalisa is a sesition then we will say it every day. I would recite here, now. I dare you press sedition charges against me, he said while reciting a few couplets of Hanuman Chalisa.
Replying to a query regarding Uddhav Thackeray skipping the Prime Minister’s programme to visit an old party worker ebo had participated in a protest against Rana couple. “You went to meet the old lady it is your prerogative. It is good that the CM atleast met somebody. But we all heard the plight of the woman. She said she has no house, her son has no job despite being a party worker for so long. The CM should answer to her issues. In a similar manner, he could have visited ST employees who were on strike or a famer’s family who committed suicide,” he added.
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