Shatrughan Sinha Lashes Out at Raj Thackeray
New York: Mar. 13, 2007
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shatrughan Sinha, on Tuesday, lashed out at the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray saying his recent tirade against the Biharis was 'shameful' and must be condemned by everyone regardless of one's political affiliation.
"I used to think that this (Raj Thackeray) is a smart person but he has proven me and everyone else wrong," Sinha said in New York where he is on a personal visit.
The actor-turned-politician appealed to Biharis as well as Maharashtrians not to be emotionally swayed by divisive leaders like Thackeray.
"People from Bihar and other parts of North India are very hard working and they should not be provoked to defend their honor and pride," Sinha said adding every Indian was free to live in any part of the nation.
"No one needs a visa to live and earn livelihoods in other states," a fiery Sinha said.
"Every one knows Biharis and other North Indians have contributed towards the growth of Mumbai and the entire state of Maharashtra and no one has the right to treat them the way Mr. Thackeray is treating them," the Rajya Sabha member said.
Speaking about his own career, Sinha said that while Bihar was his 'janmbhoomi' (birthplace), Mumbai was his 'karmbhoomi' (workplace) and many Biharis and other non-Maharashtrians were in the same boat.
As reported, Thackeray, on the first anniversary of his party's formation in Mumbai a few days ago, warned the Biharis to 'remain within their limits or they would be served slaps for breakfast, lunch, and supper'.
Earlier in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sinha, while addressing at the American-Asian Hotel Owners' Association (AAHOA) convention, asked the NRIs to invest in Bihar saying the state, under the able leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was well on its way to prosperity and the climate was just right for anyone who wanted to take advantage of it.
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