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Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Leader. Photo Courtesy: Flickr.
Raj backs off after HC talks tough on signboard diktat
Thu-Aug 28, 2008
Mumbai / Press Trust of India
Raj Thackeray on Thursday backed off from his threat to shopowners over the Marathi signboards issue after the Bombay High Court stepped in to restrain the MNS chief and his supporters from indulging in violence, observing that nobody can "hold the people to ransom".
The court observation appeared to have a salutory effect on Raj, who said he would be happy if the BMC and the Government implemented an old rule stipulating mandatory signboards in Marathi.
"We don't have any desire to take to the street just like that. I will be happy if the Government strictly implements the provision for mandatory Marathi signboards", Raj told reporters shortly after the High Court gave relief to thousands of shopkeepers from threats by the MNS.
"I have appealed for peace", Raj said, replying to a query over his earlier 'warning' to shopowners over the signboards issue.
The court in response to an application filed by a few traders' associations restrained Raj and MNS members from "in any manner whatsoever disturbing" the traders in the city from carrying on their business activity, defacing or damaging their business property and assaulting or threatening them.
Justices J N Patel and K K Tated also restrained Raj personally from giving any provocative or intimidating public speech regarding the issue of Marathi signboards.
Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Associations, along with others, had approached the High Court after the MNS chief warned shopowners to put Marathi signboards by August 28 failing which they would be taught a lesson.
The court also ordered police commissioners of Mumbai and Thane to take 'effective steps' to safeguard the petitioners and to protect them from any act of violence by MNS workers.
The court observation appeared to have a salutory effect on Raj, who said he would be happy if the BMC and the Government implemented an old rule stipulating mandatory signboards in Marathi.
"We don't have any desire to take to the street just like that. I will be happy if the Government strictly implements the provision for mandatory Marathi signboards", Raj told reporters shortly after the High Court gave relief to thousands of shopkeepers from threats by the MNS.
"I have appealed for peace", Raj said, replying to a query over his earlier 'warning' to shopowners over the signboards issue.
The court in response to an application filed by a few traders' associations restrained Raj and MNS members from "in any manner whatsoever disturbing" the traders in the city from carrying on their business activity, defacing or damaging their business property and assaulting or threatening them.
Justices J N Patel and K K Tated also restrained Raj personally from giving any provocative or intimidating public speech regarding the issue of Marathi signboards.
Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Associations, along with others, had approached the High Court after the MNS chief warned shopowners to put Marathi signboards by August 28 failing which they would be taught a lesson.
The court also ordered police commissioners of Mumbai and Thane to take 'effective steps' to safeguard the petitioners and to protect them from any act of violence by MNS workers.
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Comments For This Post
Your channel was misleading for long time yesterday by giving news that high court has stayed the signboard implementation. Court has no way stayed the implementation and has no right to do so. It clearly shows the biased nature of reporting and the way reporters show whatever is according to their political /cultural views rather than TRUTH. This law is existing since 1961 but govt is not keen on implementing it. In the Marathi channels (IBN Lokat) and news papers (Sakal) polls more than 90% people have supported the demand. As far as courts are concerned they may even charge someone for speaking in Marathi in Mumbai if they go on like this.
Lets put it very clear. No one is against Marathi Manus. Why would one be ? I have more marathi frnds than any other community. I love to learn marathi words. But why these ppl are defaming the dignity of the marathi language by politicising it. Infact, I belive, they are not well wisher of Marathi language and Marathi ppl; if they are then they shd solve the problems of Marathi Manus.
A simple question to all, just Changing the names of some school, university, museum or airport-train terminals; bring the roti, kapda and prosperity which marathi ppl want back at home ? I know that you know the answer very well - quite better than me.
Lastly, you know why! these misleaded innocent ppl are adopting this short cut issue to gain fame !! Because real work at the remote place is tougher than playing with anyone's emotions !!!
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