Mumbai: Emphasising the need for Hindus to join hands to combat cross-border terrorism, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has said, "United Hindus can give a befitting reply to Islamic fundamentalist terrorism".

"We have states formed on linguistic basis like Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal, they alone can not take on Islamic fundamentalism, all Hindus should join hands to combat the menace," Thackeray was quoted as saying in the party mouth- piece "Saamna" on April 23.

The Sena chief was talking informally at a book release function held at his "Matoshree" residence in suburban Bandra. He released the book titled "The history of Islamic terrorism", penned by Swami Laxmishankaracharya.

Claiming that India was a Hindu nation, Thackeray said he was against so-called secularism.

The Sena leader reiterated, "If Muslims are disenfranchised then the so-called secular parties would not indulge in their appeasement. These self-proclaimed secular parties are only after the minority vote-bank".

"We need a strong man at the helm of affairs so that illegal Bangladeshi migrants are sent back to their nation," he said.

PTI