Ram8217;s rath courts trouble

MUMBAI, February 9: The rath yatra launched by Bharatiya Janata Party BJP candidate and sitting MP from North Mumbai Ram Naik has once aga...

MUMBAI, February 9: The rath yatra launched by Bharatiya Janata Party BJP candidate and sitting MP from North Mumbai Ram Naik has once again run into rough weather. Suburban Collector Sanjay Chahande has directed Naik to refrain from using the said vehicle 8211; the rath- as a Ram rath8217; on the ground that it is a contravention of the Motor Vehicle Act as well as Representation of People8217;s Act RPA, 1951.

Naik had to face a similar problem during the last elections when the then collector, Uttam Khobragade, confiscated his rath following complaints from rival parties. Naik had then moved the Bombay High Court and the vehicle was released after four days.

In a swift move, Naik today appealed to Election Officer D K Sankaran explaining that the word rath8217; did not have any religious connotation in any language, and did not evoke any religious sentiment. Meanwhile, Sankaran, who proceeded to Nagpur today, has assured Naik that the matter will be settled by tomorrow afternoon. For now, Naik has covered thewords Ram rath8217; with a sheet of paper and is continuing with his campaign.

At a press conference today, Naik alleged that in spite of having obtained the necessary permission to campaign on the rath, Chahande was creating hurdles in his way, adding that the directions issued by the Collector were arbitrary and unjust. Naik added that he failed to understand why Chahande had initiated action now, when the campaign on the rath has been on since January 28.

On February 6, the Regional Transport Office RTO had served a letter to the north district president, N S Pawar, requesting him to remove the board of Ram rath8217; from the vehicle, Naik said. However, Naik wrote back to the RTO pointing out that it did not have the jurisdiction to enforce the RPA provisions.

8220;The RTO had inspected the rath a Mahindra jeep with plywood cut-outs and not raised any objections at that time. I had also submitted photographs of the rath to the RTO,8221; Naik said. He added that the returning officer for his constituency,Madhukar Zende, was also specifically informed that the vehicle would be called Ram rath8217;.

According to Naik, he had even explained to the district election officer DEO that Ram8217; stood for his name and rath8217; merely implied a vehicle. Naik had also cautioned the DEO that if he planned to take any action against the rath, he should do so after giving him Naik a chance to explain. 8220;The DEO has failed to understand that my decorating the jeep does not, in any manner whatsoever, amount to altercation of the vehicle over and above what was passed at the time of registration,8221; Naik said.