Following the death of a UP youth on a Mumbai train on Tuesday just a day after a youth from Bihar was shot by the police in the financial capital, Union Ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan mounted greater pressure on the Centre to protect north Indians from regionalism-driven violence in Maharashtra.While Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav threatened to stop railway services in states that fail to protect railway property and passengers, Steel, Fertiliser and Chemicals Minister Ram Vilas Paswan called for President’s Rule in Maharashtra. Soon after the death of the UP youth, Lalu spoke to the Prime Minister, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to demand stern action against the culprits. “Both the PM and Soniaji assured me that they would take up the issue with the Maharashtra Government. I also spoke to Deshmukh and asked him to punish the culprits,” Lalu said. Although he clarified that he was not referring to a ‘particular’ state, Lalu later added that railway services should be suspended in states that allow railway passengers become soft targets. Lalu also attacked the BJP for the violence against north Indians in Mumbai alleging that the saffron party was encouraging elements like Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. “They are all nothing but partners of the BJP,” Lalu said.Talking to The Indian Express, Paswan said he would raise the matter during the Cabinet meeting on Thursday as the situation in Maharashtra had become intolerable. He also demanded that President’s Rule be imposed in the state, adding, “Both the Left and the JD(U) are opposed to use of Article 356. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should come out and support the demand.” Meanwhile, SP general secretary Amar Singh also accused the Maharashtra Government of treating Raj Thackeray like its “son-in-law”. He also urged Lalu and Paswan to quit the UPA in protest. (With inputs from Santosh Singh in Patna)
