Against-infiltrators, not pro-CAA-NRC-NPR, MNS morcha in Mumbai starts

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Against-infiltrators, not pro-CAA-NRC-NPR, MNS morcha in Mumbai starts

MNS activists from all over Maharashtra have been trooping to Mumbai since Saturday night to join the morcha

Sunday February 9, 2020 3:43 PM, ummid.com with inputs from IANS

Mumbai: Thousands of activists Sunday took part in a mega-procession taken out by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray, demanding the ouster of the "Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators" living in the country.

Participating in the march MNS workers raised slogans demanding that the "illegal migrants" living in the country should be driven away as "they are a drain" on the country's economy, resources and jobs, besides posing "threats to national security".

However, Raj Thackeray has made it clear that the morcha is not in support of the CAA-NRC-NPR which have created massive socio-political upheavals around the country over two months.

After starting from their Shivaji Park home, Thackeray and his family, including wife Sharmila, their son Amit Thackeray, first performed an 'aarti' and took 'darshan' of Hindu Lord Ganesha at the famed 220-year old Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi.

Later, accompanied by the MNS top brass, the Thackerays led the procession from Girgaum Chowpatty as it wend its way to the historic Azad Maidan, around 4 kms away, where more enthusiastic crowds awaited Thackeray, who is expected to address a rally later.

MNS activists from all over Maharashtra have been trooping to Mumbai since Saturday night to join the procession, by public or chartered buses, private vehicles, trains and even motorcycles.

The entire route from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan resembled a sea of the MNS' new saffron-hued flag with the symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Royal Seal.

'Not against Indian Muslims'

This is the MNS' first public show of strength after it donned 'new avatar' on January 23, with a new flag, symbol, 'Hindutva' agenda and right-wing direction as it struggles for survival to create its own political space in Maharashtra, particularly after the recently changed state political scenario.

At the MNS mega-convention on January 23, Raj Thackeray had announced the Febuary 9 procession, amidst speculation that the party was cosying up to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra.

"We are not against any Indian Muslims. They are ours. There can be a debate on the CAA, but why should we permit those who have illegally entered the country and continue living here," he demanded.

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