Raj again slams migrants, dares govt to arrest him

Thackeray, who had been arrested and released on bail and subjected to a gag order for weeks after his supporters attacked migrants from north India in February, reiterated that he and his MNS would not allow migrants to set foot in Mumbai or Maharashtra if they come with the intention of dominating the locals.

He also targeted Amitabh Bachchan again, saying the Bollywood superstar seemed more concerned about his home state, Uttar Pradesh. “When did I say drive away people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar? I have not yet said it but if the situation continues as it is now and I am compelled to say it, I will say it,” Raj said during his hour-long speech at the second anniversary celebrations of the MNS.

“I have to reignite the flame that was first ignited by Balasaheb 40 years ago to fight for the rights of Maharashtrians,” he said, referring to the campaign against migrants by his estranged uncle Bal Thackeray in the 1960s. “I am not saying this with an eye on elections. But it is not possible to keep reigniting a flame.”

The Mumbai Police had stepped up security in the area and about 1,000 men were on duty to prevent any trouble. They had also warned Raj against inciting violence through his speech while permitting the rally.

“Tomorrow, the tapes of the speech will be processed. Any decision can be taken or discussed only after the entire speech is heard and monitored by our legal experts,” Police Commissioner Hasan Ghafoor told The Sunday Express.