MNS activities raise issue of human rights abuse: NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), taking a strong stand on the repeated violence by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists led by Raj Thackeray, has issued a notice to the Maharashtra government seeking comment on the recent attack on north Indian aspirants for railway jobs.

The Commission, taking suo-motu cognizance of a distressing press report, has said that the content of the media report is true which raises serious issue of human rights violation of the citizens of the country.

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It has also issued notice to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra to reply within two weeks.

The attack on north Indians in Maharashtra by MNS workers often go on rampage in the name of Marathi manoos or people. Moreover, the subsequent failure of the state government to act on those repeat offenders has done nothing to generate confidence among non-Marathi speaking people in Maharashtra, the commission said highlighting the media report.

Responding to the report, the NHRC further said: “ The MNS reportedly did not shy away from promoting a violent form of ethnic politics to build its base. The MNS party chief Raj Thackeray has allegedly been involved in abetting crime instigating his party workers to violence time and again.”

Meanwhile, as the MNS chief is now out on bail, the Maharashtra government is facing criticism from all quarters over its inaction on the whole issue. On the one hand, Raj Thackeray is playing his cards of divisive politics to strengthen his base getting hold of Marathi vote bank, and on the other hand the Congress-NCP rulers trying to gain out of the issue by minimizing the influence of Shiv Sena.