MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday pulled up the state government for not taking action against the vandalism of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). "If you can arrest terrorists why not them (MNS activists)?" the Bombay High Court asked the state government.
The high court was hearing a petition filed by city traders against the MNS warning to put up signboards in Marathi.
A bench of Justices JN Patel and KK Tated said earlier terrorists attacked without warning and lately they have started sending e-mails but the MNS chief had openly issued warning notices to shop-keepers to put up Marathi sign boards and yet the state had taken no action against him.
"If you dont have political will then send message to society that you cannot control the law and order situation," Justice Patel said. "Your mighty state seems to have become helpless," he added.
The court has given the state government three weeks time to file an affidavit stating what action they propose to take against Thackeray and his men and adjourned the case till October 16.
The judges were also peeved at the state government for not backing joint commissioner of police KL Prasad when Thackeray openly challenged him.
"Your Home minister has failed to back the police officer," Justice Patel said. He said this approach of the government could demoralise police officers.
The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) had moved the high court seeking directions to the state government to take action against the MNS. On July 14,the MNS had issued notices to shopkeepers across Mumbai asking them to put up sign boards in Marathi by August 28 or face the wrath of their men.
The court, however, was of the view that it was for the state government or the corporation to ensure the display of signboards as mandated in section 20-A of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Rule, 1961,and Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (second amendment) Rule, 2000.
On September 10,Thackeray had also publicly challenged Prasad to give up his uniform, badge and designation to know whom Mumbai actually belongs to. A day earlier, Prasad had told the media that the city didnt belong to any individual.
On Thursday, the court also observed that the last time Thackeray was arrested he became a hero. Justice Patel said at one time Bhagat Singh was a national hero but idols seem to have changed with time. "It is a very sorry state," he said.
MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar refused to comment on the courts observations.
