Let fear prevail, it’s good, says Thackeray

MUMBAI, June 12: ``No religion should come in the way of the nation's progress,'' said Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to the creme de la c...

MUMBAI, June 12: “No religion should come in the way of the nation’s progress,” said Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to the creme de la creme of Mumbai gathered at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber this evening to hear him speak on “Political strategies to make India a major economic power”.

But as always, he chose to share his views on a range of subjects. For instance, he said he was upset at the alleged obstruction to the beautification of the city by Jains who feed pigeons at city squares which despoils the metropolis by way of the “birdies’ dirty business,” he said.“Jains object to the move to curtail such feeding saying it is against their religion. "But we must try hard to cultivate a civic sense among the people,” he said.

Thackeray also gave an economic twist to the problem of Bangladeshi Muslim residents in the metropolis. “It is not a communal problem but rather one of infrastructure,” he said. “From where do we get the water for them, as well as the electricity, and other supportive (civic) facilities? "I am determined to see that they are all thrown out and I am prepared to be merciless and ruthless about this.”

Assuring the city’s businessmen that he was for vigorous privatisation and meant business, come what may, he also did little to debunk the impression in the minds of the people that the Shiv Sena was a party to be afraid of. “Let the fear prevail. It is for the people’s own good. I do not wish to hurt anyone’s sentiments, but if we had not been around in 1992-93 (during the riots), Hindus would have all been massacred,” he said.