Book Raj for murder, demand RJD, LJP, BJP

Slamming the Congress Government in Maharashtra for ‘failing’ to protect north Indians from attacks by MNS men, UPA constituents RJD and LJP and Opposition BJP on Wednesday demanded booking Raj Thackeray for murder after the death of a youth in violence.

LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the Maharashtra government has booked MNS chief Thackeray under bailable sections of the IPC.

"You release him tomorrow and he will indulge in same activities...he should be booked under section 302 (murder) of the IPC as a candidate (for the railway board exam) injured in Maharashtra violence has died," Paswan told reporters before Lok Sabha met for the day.

He also demanded job in Railways on compassionate grounds for the kin of the victim. "The LJP will provide Rs one lakh to the family of the deceased," said Paswan.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain dubbed Raj as a ‘murderer’ and demanded that he be booked under Section 302 of IPC.

Describing Raj as a ‘danger for national unity’, Hussain said the treatment meted out to north Indians in Maharashtra is something done ‘not even in Pakistan’.

Taking potshots at RJD over the violence in Maharashtra, the BJP leader said the RJD should withdraw support to the UPA government at the Centre.

After the Lok Sabha was adjourned following an uproar over the issue, RJD member Ram Kripal Yadav told reporters that violence was continuing in Maharashtra.

"Taxi drivers, shop-keepers of north Indian origin are being targeted...Raj Thackeray be booked under section 302 of IPC or we continue with our agitation," he said.

He claimed the Centre and Maharashtra governments failed to take action which helped Raj become a ‘hero’.

"The Centre should use provisions under Article 355 or 356 to curb violence and instil a sense of confidence in people," he added.

LJP member Ramchandra Paswan claimed the Bihar government also maintained a silence when north Indians were being targeted and said it too should be dismissed.