Raj Thackeray questions Why Muslims protesting against CAA

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray questioned anti-CAA protests by Muslims, through his Rally at Azad Maidan, stating that it is difficult to understand their agitation as the new law not meant for them.

Over the last couple of months, Raj Thackeray has been speaking in favour of the CAA and the National Register of Citizens, using right-wing language and advocating tough measures.

Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena held a mega rally on Sunday to show support for the contentious citizenship law which has triggered countrywide protests. For those holding protests against the law, the 51-year-old, known for his exclusionist brand of politics, sounded a warning.

"I want to tell people who took out rallies. For a rally, I have given you the answer with rally. If tomorrow you pick up a stone or sword, the answer will be with a stone or sword," he said.

Praising the Centre for CAA, he said: "I do not understand why Muslims are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here."

Thackeray, who was addressing a mega rally here demanding the ouster of Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country, asked: "To whom are you showing your strength?"

He said the CAA law made in 1949 during the partition was different from the amended law. "I praised the government when they do good things like scrapping of Article 370, construction of Ram Mandir, implementation of CAA among others," Thackeray said.

Earlier MNS posters stating 'Bangladeshis leave the country, otherwise, you will be driven out in MNS style' were seen at Panvel in Raigad district on February 4. The posters also featured MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his son Amit Thackeray, who was recently inducted into the party.Thackeray had earlier said: "There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but why should we shelter someone who has come from outside illegally."