Uddhav Thackeray slams 'religion-neutral' NRC, opposes premature protests in Maharashtra

While slamming National Register of Citizens, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray contended that re was need for Shaheen Bagh-like protests in Maharashtra. His reference was to people’s sit-in at  Shaheen Bagh area in national capital against Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC. Talking to Sena mouthpiece Saamana, he ackwledged that NRC had t been anunced at national level yet.  

“NRC has t come yet. re is meaning in march and protest against it. re is necessity for Shaheen Bagh-like protests in Maharashtra,” Maharashtra CM said.  

Read: Congress MP Requests Police t To Oppose 'Shaheen Bagh-like' Protests In Maharashtra

' NRC will trouble Hindus as well' 

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray asserted that his government would t implement NRC. Moreover, he opined that this would harm both Hindus as well as Muslims. Citing Assam example, he maintained that one didn’t become a traitor just by opposing NRC. 

Uddhav Thackeray remarked, “NRC is t just troublesome for Muslims. Firstly, NRC will t come. More importantly, we will t let it come. However, if BJP does decide to implement NRC, it will cause a problem for you and me, country’s Hindus and people belonging to all religions. In that sense, NRC is religion-neutral. NRC will trouble Hindus as well.” 

Read: 'Shiv Sena Will Oppose Any Attempt To Bring NRC Forcibly,' Says Vinayak Raut

He added, “This is what happened in Assam. In context of Assam, this is an important law. In Assam, 19 lakh people have t been able to prove ir citizenship. Out of which, 14 lakh are Hindus. Just because I oppose NRC doesn’t make me a traitor and just because you support it doesn’t make you a patriot.”  

Congress requests police to allow Shaheen Bagh-like protests

Incidentally, Shiv Sena’s ally Congress has openly backed Shaheen Bagh-like protests. On January 27, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Husain Dalwai claimed that 1000 such protests had already started in country. He also revealed that ar protest would take place in Shivaji Nagar, Chembur. Contending that all protests were peaceful in nature, Dalwai requested police t to oppose Shaheen Bagh-like agitations in Maharashtra.   

Read: Shaheen Bagh Textbook Case Of A Few Hundred Trying To Suppress Silent Majority: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Congress MP Husain Dalwai remarked, “Wherever people sit on a satyagraha, that place has been named as Shaheen Bagh. 1000 such Shaheen Baghs have started in this country. In Mumbai, it has started in Nagpada. It is soon going to commence in Shivaji Nagar, Chembur. It is going to start in many places. I want to tell police that re is need to oppose Shaheen Bagh in Maharashtra. It is happening very peacefully. It is happening according to Gandhi’s principles. After Independence struggle, this is first time that people have come out on roads in such large numbers.” 

Read: AAP's Atishi Labels Pics Of Shaheen Bagh Gunman's 2019 Induction As 'dirty Tricks Of BJP'