‘British understood non-violence, but Govt doesn’t’

“The British who understood the language of non-violence left long back but the present rulers have become thick skinned and are completely insensitive towards the sentiments of the people,” he said.

Raj, who was on his way to Pune, met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers who are on a relay-fast since last 18 days to protest against several issues including corruption.

Chiding the activists, he advised them not to waste their time by sitting on a fast. “Press your demands in such a way that they would have no alternative but to accept your demands,” Raj said.

“The government has no concern whether you survive or die. They need you only on the voting day for a couple of hours,” he added.

Pursuing the campaign against “outsiders”, MNS activists yesterday went on a rampage and attacked 13 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai to protest against “inadequate representation” to locals and chased away candidates from north India.

The violence drew angry reaction from Railway Minister Lalu Yadav who demanded a ban on MNS and termed Raj Thackeray as a “mental case.” Congress, Samajwadi Party and NCP have demanded strict action against those involved with Congress’s Sanjay Nirupam even saying it was high time that Raj was arrested.

The CPI today said such attacks should not be tolerated and Raj and his supporters must be “immediately arrested and prosecuted”.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh slammed Maharashtra government while CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat and BJP’s Shahnawaz Hussain condemned both the central and state governments for the attacks on north Indians.