BJP alleges Uddhav govt removed 'Hindu' option in class 10, 12 exam forms; gives deadline

BJP MLA Atul Bhatkalkar on Wednesday alleged that Maharashtra government has removed ‘Hindu’ option from examination form for classes 10th and 12th. Sharing a copy of form, BJP leader claimed that Uddhav Thackeray government has used word ‘n-Mirity’ instead of 'Hindu' in newly released exam forms for next board exams.  Bhatkalkar said that if word 'Hindu' is t put back in exam form in next 24 hours, n party will organise protests across state along with burning of forms. re has been response from MVA government so far on allegations made by BJP leader. 

'Thackeray government has abandoned Hindutva'

Meanwhile, amid row over a Shiv Sena leader suggesting an 'Azaan' recital competition for Muslim children, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed Sena has "junked" its Hindutva ideology propagated by party founder Bal Thackeray and is pursuing "vote bank politics". Talking to reporters in Nagpur, former Chief Minister, said Shiv Sena has become "pseudo-secular", and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and party MP Sanjay Raut should speak on issue.

'Shiv Sena doing opposite of what Balasaheb had said'

Shiv Sena Mumbai-South vibhag pramukh (division head) Pandurang Sakpal in an interview to an Urdu news portal recently likened 'Azaan' (a call for Muslim prayer) with Hindu ritual of 'aarti' and suggested holding an 'Azaan' recital competition for Muslim children.

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"This is t Shiv Sena of 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' (emperor of Hindu hearts) Balasaheb Thackeray. He had always fought on this issue and Shiv Sena is doing just opposite of what Balasaheb had said in his statements and articles in (Sena mouthpiece) 'Saamana'," Fadnavis said.

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" Shiv Sena has junked Hindutva for sake of power and has become pseudo-secular. An appeasement policy is going on in Shiv Sena. We have been saying it repeatedly...and it has become very clear," he said.

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To a query, Fadnavis said, "We have never considered Muslims as vote bank and do t want appeasement policy. Muslims are part of 'Sabka saath sabka vikas'." But, Shiv Sena is doing "vote bank politics", considering Muslims as vote bank, leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly claimed.

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(With ncy inputs)