Hindu groups demand ban on Muslim bodies

Mumbai : Several pro-Hindu groups Monday demanded a ban on “fanatical” Muslim bodies and the arrest of their leaders whose fiery speeches sparked violence leaving two dead here.

Addressing the media, representatives of groups under the banner of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) called the Saturday violence as “pre-planned”.

They also blamed police for not anticipating the developments that left the city paralysed for several hours and injured some 100 people including many policemen.

“Earlier, the Raza Academy had resorted to violence in Mumbai to protest against Denmark, then two policemen were burnt alive in Bhiwandi (Thane) and now this,” said HJS coordinator Shivaji Vatkar.

“Considering the violent record of Raza Academy, a recommendation should be sent to the central government to immediately ban it,” he said.

He demanded that all Muslims who took part in Saturday’s protest against attacks on Muslims in Assam and Myanmar should be booked under stringent laws.

Vatkar said that in the past the state government had recovered crores of rupees as compensation from the Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and others for damaging public property.

“On the same lines, Raza Academy and other organizations should be held responsible for the damage (Saturday) and be suitably penalized,” he said.