Author: Kiran Tare
Publication: DNA India
Date: September 10, 2009
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_miraj-riots-are-vote-bank-politics-alleges-rss_1288947
Western Maharashtra chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh (RSS) Dada Sahane on Wednesday related the incidents in Miraj to vote
bank politics."The incidents in Miraj, Sangli and Kolhapur are a cause
of worry," said Sahane in a press release. He alleged that a few politicians
are insulting the Hindus to appease their voters.
"What is wrong in recalling the killing
of Afzal Khan on the occasion of the 350th year of the incident? It is unpatriotic
to oppose the poster depicting Shivaji Maharaj killing Afzal Khan. We will
not tolerate a few politicians fuelling such incidents for the sake of votes,"
he said.
Sahane demanded that theposter should be put
up again at its original place.
"The people who sparked the riot should be arrested. The government should
take back the cases against innocent Hindus, and the police officers who were
involved in atrocities against the residents should be suspended," said
Sahane.
Shiv Sena, on the other hand, has alleged
that the riots are a conspiracy to terrorise the Hindus. "The government
is not only appeasing the Muslims but also playing dirty politics," he
stated in an editorial in Saamna.
"Killing someone is really sad. But Aurangazeb's
grave and Afzal Khan's killing are an exception. They are symbols of Maharashtra's
pride," said Thackeray. He gave examples of riots and communal tensions
at Dhule, Chopada and Bhiwandi in support of his argument that the Miraj riot
was a part of a wide conspiracy to terrorise Hindus.
He said: "At Chopada, the Muslims were
angry over playing of a song. In Bhiwandi, they started the riots over constructing
of a police chowkie and killed two policemen. Sometimes they start riots during
Navratri and Ganeshotsav and sometimes over Aurangazeb and Afzal Khan. Why
can't they be patriotic?"
Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad president
Ashok Singhal said, "There should be only one agreement -- that the government
take stringent action against the anti-social elements who damaged the Ganesh
idols in Miraj." He alleged that the government has bowed to the jehadis.
