Lauding the Delhi Government’s move to make identity cards compulsory for residents, the Shiv Sena has demanded a similar system in Mumbai. “Congratulating” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna in an editorial on Monday has come down heavily on attempts to oppose the move. Stating that it is being done to ensure security in the national capital, the editorial demanded a similar move in the economic capital as well.

While stating Mumbai and Delhi had equal threat perceptions, the editorial notes how the Shiv Sena has been making demands for the last 20-25 years for a similar permit system in Mumbai for allowing people to enter the city.

“However, in this democracy, even uttering the word permit is a crime,” it says, while adding that politicians opposed the system for their gains, leading to the Government backtracking on the issue.

Stating that cities like Delhi and Mumbai were unsafe, the editorial says that Dikshit’s comments about the influx from Bihar causing problems in Delhi had raised the hackles of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, forcing her to backtrack.

“How can the truth about the influx of outsiders in Delhi spoiling the city be denied?” it questions, pointing out that the criminals responsible for the bomb blasts in Delhi were yet to be nabbed.

It also states that political patronage had ensured that “thousands of Bangladeshis” were able to stay in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, and adds that the outsiders coming to Mumbai had spoilt the culture of the city. The permit system and checks would ensure that the citizens got legal protection, it said.