‘Religion there, language here': Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar compares Pahalgam attack to Marathi slapgate row; says BJP will protect everyone in state
, people in Maharashtra were being attacked on linguistic grounds.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
'In the Pahalgam terror attack, people were asked their religion before being shot. Here, people are being attacked based on their language. It is disappointing,' Shelar said.
He said the
(BJP), the largest party in the state, would protect both Marathi speakers and non-Marathi residents.
'Marathi is not a political issue for us,' he told reporters in Mumbai.
His comments follow an incident last week in Bhayandar, near Mumbai, where
(MNS) workers were seen in a viral video assaulting a shopkeeper who allegedly refused to speak in Marathi.
Police detained seven individuals in connection with the incident and later released them after serving notices.
'One brother's speech is incomplete and the other's is irrelevant'
Speaking about the joint rally held by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, Shelar said the parties were free to take their own political decisions.
'It is a very good thing that two brothers came together.
Whether the two parties will contest the elections together or not is their right; they can decide whatever they want on that matter. We have nothing to say about that today,' Shelar said.
Referring to speeches made at the rally, he said, 'As far as yesterday's program is concerned, one brother's speech is incomplete, and the other's is irrelevant. What
said was not complete. He discussed Marathi, but did not elaborate on the entire topic."
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
"
's speech was irrelevant, showing pleasure by joining one word with another word and collecting brownie points. There was nothing else in his entire speech except the mention of the fact that his government fell... In yesterday's meeting, neither language nor Maharashtra were a topic," Shelar added further.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
19 minutes ago
- Hans India
Communal strife being fuelled under Cong rule, says BJP chief
Bengaluru: The BJP has alleged that a systematic conspiracy is underway to incite communal strife between two communities in the state. According to the party, anti-national elements are growing bolder with the Congress government's backing. Addressing reporters in Shivamogga on Monday, BJP state President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra said, 'Anti-national elements are becoming stronger in Karnataka, particularly in the coastal region. Forces that do not want peace and aim to create communal discord are ensuring that untoward incidents continue to occur.' 'The tragedy is that the state government is not taking this seriously. Whether it's the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty, the Mysuru police station attack, or incidents of violence during Tipu Jayanti in our Shivamogga district -- trouble is recurring during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. These disruptive forces feel emboldened because they know they are protected by the state government,' he alleged. 'Due to the inaction of the government, these anti-national elements are becoming more daring. They believe that no one will hold them accountable because the government is on their side,' he added. 'There is a situation where the fence is eating the crop. In this background, such disturbing incidents are taking place. The BJP strongly condemns this. The Chief Minister and the Home Minister -- who is one only in name -- must pay attention to this situation,' Vijayendra said. Commenting on the recent spate of heart attack cases in Hassan district, he said, 'A series of heart attacks are being reported, especially among young people, and lives are being lost. Shockingly, the district's in-charge minister has not visited the area in the past three months. This is the height of irresponsibility. One does not need further evidence to see how callously the Congress-led government is running the state.' Turning to the state's financial condition, he said, 'The state's economy has collapsed. The Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister, Bavaraj Rayareddy, has stated that if people want roads and other development works, the government will have to stop the guarantee schemes.' 'When the BJP points out that the Congress-led government is struggling to pay salaries, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claims that everything is fine,' Vijayendra said. 'But through Rayareddy, the Chief Minister has made it clear to the public that funds for development cannot be allocated unless the guarantee schemes are first delivered. This government has pushed the state into a financial crisis.' 'The people are tired of this government and are regretting bringing it to power. That is the reality. The damage caused is so deep that no Chief Minister will be able to easily fix Karnataka's economy,' he concluded.
Hindustan Times
38 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Eyeing harmony with anti-sacrilege law: Arora
Punjab cabinet minister and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) state president Aman Arora on Monday said the aim behind the government's plan to introduce a robust law to prevent acts of sacrilege was to ensure religious harmony. Addressing the media during a visit to the Sudhar Trust in Khanna, accompanied by fellow cabinet ministers Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Harbhajan Singh ETO, Arora emphasised the urgent need for a strong legal framework to preserve Punjab's communal harmony. People's welfare is in focus, says Aman Arora. (HT Photo) Citing past incidents such as the Bargari-Behbal Kalan sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, which disturbed peace in the state, Arora said, 'With this new law, we will ensure that such acts are deterred through strict legal consequences.' He reiterated the Mann-led government's commitment to restoring Punjab's prosperity and vibrancy. He emphasised that every decision made by the Mann-led government is driven by a commitment to the progress, welfare and betterment of Punjab's people. Arora also issued a stern warning to those exploiting Punjab through violence, corruption or drug trafficking. 'Those who amass wealth through unlawful means will face the consequences of their actions,' he stated, reinforcing the government's zero-tolerance stance on crime and corruption. Grewal demands inclusion of Hindu temples and idols in sacrilege Bill Senior BJP leader and prominent Sikh figure Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal accused the AAP government of adopting a 'selective and vote-bank-driven' approach in drafting the sacrilege Bill, which is expected to be tabled during a special session of the Punjab Assembly on July 10 and 11. Grewal urged the government to broaden the scope of the bill to protect all religious communities. 'If this government is sincere, it must include Pran Pratishthit Hindu temples and idols in the Bill. Anything less would be a betrayal to millions of Hindus whose sacred spaces have also faced repeated attacks,' he said. 'For years, Hindu temples have been vandalised and desecrated under this government's nose. The AAP dispensation has conveniently turned a blind eye. Are Hindu sentiments expendable in Punjab politics? Are they just not vote-worthy enough for the Mann government?' he questioned. While welcoming the inclusion of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the proposed Bill, he said, 'The BJP holds the Guru Granth Sahib in the highest spiritual and national esteem.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Uddhav hits out at CM over ‘rudali' comment, calls him ‘perverted and mean-spirited'
Mumbai: Hitting back at CM Devendra Fadnavis for his comment that the Thackeray cousins' 'reunion' rally was a "rudali" (professional women mourners) act and not a "victory celebration", Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the "original BJP " was "dead" and that "those who feel sad about the happy moments of Marathi people are very perverted and mean-spirited." Uddhav also clarified that he was not against any language but was against Hindi compulsion or the imposition of any language. "If they want to have three languages, they must tell us what third language will be taught in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "I can understand their (BJP) mentality because the original BJP is dead. It was murdered by these people. 'Rudali' is also a Hindi word. They have taken help from our party, Congress, NCP, and parties across the country to get people to express sorrow because the original BJP is dead," Uddhav said while speaking at Vidhan Bhavan. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai He also hit out at BJP minister Ashish Shelar, who compared the terrorists in Pahalgam to those assaulting non-Marathis in Mumbai. "We Shiv Sainiks are helping people without looking at caste or religion. Those who are comparing Marathi people with the terrorists of Pahalgam are the real killers of Marathi. They cannot even save Hindus; they are taking sides with those who do injustice to Marathi. If any BJP member is comparing a Marathi person who agitates for rights with the terrorists of Pahalgam, they are the killers of Marathi. So did the terrorists of Pahalgam join the BJP? They should tell us. Where did they go? Are they living in the houses of those who accused us? It is the misfortune of Maharashtra that such incompetent people are ruling in Maharashtra," he said. Uddhav also held a meeting of Sena (UBT) legislators in Vidhan Bhavan and asked them to remind assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar about the appointment of the leader of ppposition (LoP) in the assembly. The Sena (UBT) will give a reminder letter to Narwekar on Tuesday asking him to make a decision on appointing an LoP. Narwekar has said they are studying the rules and examining if the LoP's post can be given if a party has less than 10% MLAs. After the budget session, this is the second session of the new Mahayuti govt without an LoP in the assembly. Uddhav hits out at CM over 'rudali' comment, calls him 'perverted and mean-spirited' Chaitanya Marpakwar Mumbai: Hitting back at CM Devendra Fadnavis for his comment that the Thackeray cousins' 'reunion' rally was a "rudali" (professional women mourners) act and not a "victory celebration", Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the "original BJP" was "dead" and that "those who feel sad about the happy moments of Marathi people are very perverted and mean-spirited." Uddhav also clarified that he was not against any language but was against Hindi compulsion or the imposition of any language. "If they want to have three languages, they must tell us what third language will be taught in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "I can understand their (BJP) mentality because the original BJP is dead. It was murdered by these people. 'Rudali' is also a Hindi word. They have taken help from our party, Congress, NCP, and parties across the country to get people to express sorrow because the original BJP is dead," Uddhav said while speaking at Vidhan Bhavan. He also hit out at BJP minister Ashish Shelar, who compared the terrorists in Pahalgam to those assaulting non-Marathis in Mumbai. "We Shiv Sainiks are helping people without looking at caste or religion. Those who are comparing Marathi people with the terrorists of Pahalgam are the real killers of Marathi. They cannot even save Hindus; they are taking sides with those who do injustice to Marathi. If any BJP member is comparing a Marathi person who agitates for rights with the terrorists of Pahalgam, they are the killers of Marathi. So did the terrorists of Pahalgam join the BJP? They should tell us. Where did they go? Are they living in the houses of those who accused us? It is the misfortune of Maharashtra that such incompetent people are ruling in Maharashtra," he said. Uddhav also held a meeting of Sena (UBT) legislators in Vidhan Bhavan and asked them to remind assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar about the appointment of the leader of ppposition (LoP) in the assembly. The Sena (UBT) will give a reminder letter to Narwekar on Tuesday asking him to make a decision on appointing an LoP. Narwekar has said they are studying the rules and examining if the LoP's post can be given if a party has less than 10% MLAs. After the budget session, this is the second session of the new Mahayuti govt without an LoP in the assembly.
