Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remains unfazed over the reported threat by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to prevent Bihar divas celebrations in Mumbai, saying no one can stop him from attending the event and he does not require a “visa” to travel there.
“There is no hurdle for me to go there… Can go to any part of the country… don't need any type of visa for that. I am going,” Mr. Kumar said on Monday, when asked for his comment on the threat by the Raj Thackeray-headed MNS to block the celebrations.
He said he would give his message to people from Bihar living in Mumbai on April 15 during his scheduled visit to attend a social and cultural programme organised by migrant labour from the State to celebrate the centenary of the creation of the State.
The MNS did not appear to take kindly to Mr. Kumar's assertion.
“Raj saheb will make the party's stance on the issue clear at a public meeting at Malegaon on April 12,” a senior MNS leader said.
“Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. If anybody tries to show Maharashtra's culture and Marathi language in a bad light, it will not be tolerated,” the MNS leader said.
'Independent panel for BPL list'
Mr. Kumar also demanded an independent commission for preparing BPL list and said it would end the tussle between the central and State governments on the list of beneficiaries.
“I once again demand that an independent institution be set up on the pattern of Election Commission of India for preparing the BPL lists,” Mr. Kumar told reporters.
The Bihar government had to make changes in its BPL list thrice as several families were deprived of the benefits, he said.
If an independent commission prepares the BPL list it would ensure better work and actual beneficiaries would be satisfied.
Keywords: Nitish Kumar, Bihar divas, MNS, Mumbai migrants, migrant rights, food security, BPL survey, Planning Commission
At one time there were leaders in Punjab who were talking in the tune similar to what Raj thakery is using now. that led to pushing far behind the then most prosperous state of India. for those reasons Punjab's economic progress slowed to its lowest levels at one point. Today punjabis along with biharis and others from across the country helped Punjab regain its lost status to some extent. As a reminder to Thakerys or whoever these stunts not gonna work but yes it might slowdown the growth of economic capital of India.
I always puzzle as to why there is no rule to punish these types of open
challenge of hooliganism? Its a shame that some people are taking laws
in their hands and the Government is always mum in these issues. If
people like Thackerays arise in every state then India will not be a
place to live in, no trades will happen and no development will occur.
Why Mr Nitish Kumar reacts on MNS stand.I think it is below his dignity to react to those people like Raj thakery whose very existance is on hate,destruction and violence.
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