Thackeray questioned whether the country was free and added that flag hoisting on Republic Day and Independence Day did not amount to being so. In states like Assam and Mizoram, “Naxals and Christians were fostering trouble”, he said. Nepal too was losing its status of ‘Hindu rasthra’ and Sri Lanka had the Tamil Tigers and “Naxals”.

“How are we free?” questioned Thackeray, asking whether the Centre had taken any action against the offenders.

Thackerayspeak

• On Bhujbal: Amidst rumors that former Sainik and state PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal would wind his way back to the Shiv Sena from the NCP, Thackeray said he had little to say on the issue. “I will not say anything about Chhagan Bhujbal,” Thackeray said, asking: “Why should I hurt anyone who is loving me?” Thackeray, however, questioned why “sense had dawned late” on Bhujbal and noted how he had quit the Sena in 1992 with 18 MLAs in tow.

• On Dance Bars: Thackeray later took on Deputy Chief Minister R.R Patil for the ban on dance bars. “They were making ends meet by dancing. But if there is any Bangladeshi (among the bar girls), they must be chased away. Bangladeshi Muslims should not be allowed to stay here,” he said amidst cheers from the crowd.