Under attack from the Left and NDA MPs for inaction over attacks on north Indians by MNS activists, Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Tuesday said at least three advisories have been sent to the state Government in the wake of the attacks. Patil, while responding to the Zero Hour mention on MNS attacks, said, “We have issued three advisories to the state Government, we have expressed our anguish and anger and I have also personally talked to the Chief Minister on the issue.”“When we issue advisories to the states, we do not specify that it is under Article 355 or any other article. The advisories ask the Government to take appropriate action failing which the Centre would be forced to use further provisions under the law,” Patil said, adding that “the letters issued are dated October 19, 20 and 21.”During the Zero Hour discussion, Shiv Sena MP and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi warned of a “bigger movement” in Maharshtra if the Government did not give preference to the locals in railway employment.As Railway Minister Lalu Yadav, accompanied by JD(U)’s Sharad Yadav and Digvivay Singh, objected to such remarks, Joshi said, “Your people want to snatch jobs from the people of Maharashtra. this cannot go on. You haven’t been able to develop your state, so they come to Maharashtra and other parts of the country. The PM should intervene, the Railway Minister should do something, otherwise there will be a bigger movement.”Lalu, rubbishing the allegations of selection of north Indians by the Railway Recruitment Board, said that “completely transparent procedures were followed”.Sharad Yadav, in a reference to Raj Thackeray but without naming him, said, “This man has broken all laws. this has been going on for the last two years. the state Government should either govern or get out.”Brinda Karat from the CPI(M), who moved the Zero Hour mention leading to an impromptu discussion in the Rajya Sabha, said, “The Maharashtra Government is supporting such activities, this is opportunistic politics by Congress and NCP.” Congress’ Jayanthi Natrajan objected to aspersions being cast on the state Government even as Brinda asked the Home Minister on the action taken on violence against north Indians by the MNS activists in the last six months.BJP’s Yashwant Sinha also sought answers from the Home Minister on the advisories issued by the Centre under Article 355 of the Constitution. Digvijay Singh said Patil did not have the right to the remain in the post. Concluding the debate, the Home Minister said, “Anyone from any part of the country can work and live anywhere. No one can stop them. What has happened, should not happen in Maharashtra or anywhere.”The Opposition, comprising of the Left as well as NDA MPs, however, staged a walkout as they were not satisfied with the reply. Soon after, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan adjourned the House for an hour.
