Sena Contention on Mumbai Is ‘Pernicious Thesis’, Says Chidambaram

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has dismissed Shiv Sena’s argument of ‘Mumbai for Maharashtraians’ as a ‘pernicious thesis’ and said that the country’s financial capital belongs to all Indians who are free to live and work there, reported PTI.

About Sena threats to Australian and Pakistani players’ participation in the IPL cricket event in Mumbai, the minister said that he would ‘guarantee them full security’, said report.

“We reject the thesis of the Shiv Sena. Mumbai belongs to all of India and all Indians are free to live and work in Mumbai,” he was quoted a saying.

He made the statement when he was responding to a query at a press conference here.

Chidambaram said that Maharashtra government was competent to tackle the situation and the Centre would extend help if sought, said report.

“If the government of Maharashtra seeks our advice, we will advise them but I am sure they are competent to manage the situation,” Chidambaram was quote as saying.

“But, as a matter of policy, we reject the theses of the Shiv Sena and the MNS. These are pernicious theses and they have to be rejected,” he was quoted as saying.

On Sunday, Sena had sharply objected to the RSS opinion that Mumbai is for all Indians and counter-argued that the city belongs only to Marathis.

About safety to Australian and Pakistani players in the IPL, Chidambaram said, “Let Australian players come to India. Let Pakistani players come to India. Let them play in Mumbai and I will guarantee them full security.”