Athavale fears reprisals against Marathis in north India, says Raj Thackeray to blame

Fearing reprisals against Maharashtrians residing in northern states due to MNS chief Raj Thackeray's 'agenda of hatred', RPI leader Ramdas Athavale today appealed to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to protect Marathis in his state.

Athavale whose party RPI (A) had fought Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, held earlier this year, in alliance with Shiv Sena, said dalit workers will take to streets to protect north Indians in Maharashtra and also the Hindi news channels--who are at the receiving end of Raj's diatribe.

"Maharashtrians who are living in northern states will be in trouble if Raj continues his tirade against north-Indians. I am afraid that there will be retaliation against Marathis and Raj will be responsible for this. I appeal to Nitish Kumar to protect Maharashtrians living in Bihar," Athavale told reporters here.

Demanding reining in the MNS chief, Athavale said the state government must stop him from spreading hatred across states.

"I condemn Raj Thackeray's comments about Hindi news channels. He has threatened to close down these channels....RPI activists would come out on streets to protect the channels and also north Indians," he said, adding the Constitution guarantees right to its people to live in any part of the country.

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