EC notice to Raj Thackeray for code violation
The EC's notice follows a report accompanied by video-clips sent by District Election Officer.
The EC has held Thackeray in violation of the model code of conduct for making remarks that that aggravate existing differences, create mutual hatred and cause tension between different castes and communities.
Holding him in violation of the electoral Model Code of Conduct for having made statements against non-Maharashtrians — saying that only Marathi boys and girls will be given employment in the state and that “no entry” boards will be put up at the state’s borders for outsiders — the Election Commission of India on Monday issued a notice to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray asking him to explain his stand by 11 am on October 15.
The EC’s notice follows a report—accompanied by video-clips — sent by District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate, Mumbai in which the MNS chief has been accused of having made remarks targetting non-Maharashtrians in two public meetings — in Ghatkopar and Kalna on October 5 and October 7, respectively.
“From the day, you give this state in my hands, from that day the employment in any industry created in Maharashtra will be given only to Marathi boys and girls in Maharashtra. No employment will be given to the boys and girls from other states. Their entry will also be stopped,” Thackeray is accused of having said in a speech in Ghatkopar assembly constituency on October 5.
“Their enquiry will be started from the train itself. What for you have come? Where are you going? Where are you going to stay? No arrangement to live, no arrangement for work, then get out. Don’t come to my state. Maharashtra has not taken contract to fend for people from other states. Only our boys and girls should get jobs here,” the MNS leader has been accused of having said in his speech.
Then, in another speech in Kalna assembly constituency on October 7, Thackeray has been accused of stating, “l have said in development plan that if I am given power then I will not only create jobs on large-scale, but will also ensure that all the jobs created will go only to Marathi boys and girls of Maharashtra.”
“Employment in Maharashtra will be stopped to people from other states. ‘No entry’ boards will be put up on all the borders. Slums (Jhopadpatti) spring up but our Marathi person do not get affordable home, they deserve. Slum dwellers will come, people from other states will come, be there and will get 1-1 crore of rupees for each hut they occupy, and our man will live in chawl and that too on rental basis,” Thackeray has been accused of having said.
“They come to Maharashtra as private security guards with double barrel guns, where did you get it, were you a dacoit? But people from other states come and they get jobs of security guards and for our own police recruitment our boys from Maharashtra come and white running for 5 Kms, these Marathi boys die of heart attack. Give the State in my hands, I will close all these private security agencies and wilt start own security agency of Maharashtra and will give you jobs in those,” the MNS chief has been accused of having said.
The EC has held Thackeray in violation of the model code of conduct for making remarks that that aggravate existing differences, create mutual hatred and cause tension between different castes and communities. Also, his remarks have been found to be promoting enmity between different classes of citizens on the grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language.
“The Commission is prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statements you have violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct,” the EC said in its notice to Thackeray.
Share
