In Gujarat, Congress, AAP and Patidar leaders have criticized the MNS chief Raj Thackeray for the comments made about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
He has also demanded a ban on Thackeray’s Gujarat entry and file an FIR against him.
Addressing a rally in Thane district of Maharashtra on Friday, the MNS chief said that when the migrants of Bihar were beaten and driven in Gujarat, it did not become an issue, but a small incident in Maharashtra became a national issue.
He also mentioned the alleged Marathi stance of Morarji Desai and Sardar Patel after independence. He also said that after independence, the attitude of Sardar Patel and Morarji Desai was not good for the Marathi people.
For the last few weeks, MNS workers have been demanding aggressive learning to learn Marathi from those living in Maharashtra. He has also attacked some shopkeepers for not responding in Marathi.
Newly appointed president of Gujarat Congress Amit Chavda said on Sunday that making a statement against ‘Sardar Saheb’ is like throwing dust in front of Suraj. He said, “If you do politics on the land of Gujarat, then you will get an answer.”
Aam Aadmi Party state president Isudan Garhvi said that he would never tolerate Gujarati Thackeray’s remarks. He said, “Your politics is not working, so you are insulting not only the Gujarati people but the leader of the entire country Sardar Patel.”
Garhvi appealed to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and State BJP President CR Patil to register an FIR against Thackeray.
He said, “Sardar Patel united 565 princely states and created a unbroken India. When Sardar Patel died, he had only Rs 261 in his account. Nevertheless, some leaders of Maharashtra are trying to advance their political agenda using derogatory language for such a great personality.”
Patidar leader Manoj Panara submitted a petition to the police in Morbi city, demanding a sedition case against Thackeray and banning his Gujarat entry.
He said, “We strongly condemn his comments about Sardar Saheb and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. In the coming days we will knock the door of courts and offices and take legal action against them.”
Patidar leader Alpesh Kathiria said that Thackeray has no right to insult national symbols.
The Patidar Yuva Sangh, led by Sardar Patel Group President Lalji Patel and Manoj Panara, have also condemned Thackeray’s statement. Panara has demanded that the MNS chief, whose mentality he has described as “narrow”, should be banned from entry into Gujarat.
Lalji Patel alleged that Thackeray has always been anti -Gujarat. Lalji Patel said, “He will never be a national leader until he changes his stand towards the people of other states.”
