Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray demands special session to debate on Atrocities Act, asks Pawar to take a firm stance
Uddhav Thackeray
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Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray continued to put the ruling partner BJP in a fix. He demanded that a special session of the state legislature be held to review the Prevention of Atrocities against SC and the ST Act, which is being opposed by the Maratha community.
Thackeray did not miss an opportunity to indicate that the law and order in the state wasn’t being handled properly by the BJP.
“People need a full-time home minister. The CM keeps occupied with several things. If he does not get enough time to look after law and order issues despite being a capable leader, we should have another able person to handle the responsibility,” he said.
Thackeray was talking to the media after a former Congress official was inducted in the Sena on Saturday. “Sharad Pawar says the Atrocities Act is being misused. But his party had been in power for so many years. Does that mean the NCP and Congress misused the act?” he stated, citing that he too was in favour of reviewing the law.
He said the Maratha community took out huge yet silent protest marches in the state. “The government must resolve the issue before the silent marches explode in violent protests,” he added.
Pawar, a Maratha strongman, tried to side with his community last week, but drew flak for changing statements on revising the law. “Pawar must take a clear stand,” Thackeray asserted.
He also slammed Pawar for appeasing Muslims stating, “We understand his concern for Muslims. Where was he when constable Vilas Shinde was killed? Why doesn’t he speak on such matters? Why is he so concerned about the ISIS issue?”