Congress calls for 'ban' on Shiv Sena

The Congress on Friday called for a ban on the Shiv Sena after party Chief Uddhav Thackeray demanded that India be declared a 'Hindu Rashtra', saying that the comments are against the Constitution.

"India is a secular country and the Constitution is secular, and secularism can't be changed here. Udhhav Thackeray's comments are totally uncalled for as the comments are against the Constitution of the country. The election commission should take a cognizance of it, and should impose a ban on his party (Shiv Sena) immediately," Congress leader Rashid Alvi told ANI here.

"If he has given a comment against the Constitution, then his party should be banned and I appeal the Prime Minister to look in this matter," he added.

Shiv Sena Chief Thackeray on Thursday had said that the country should be declared a Hindu Rashtra, demanding an imposition of uniform civil code in the country.

In his 45-minute speech he criticised Pakistan, Muslims and secularists. He further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the issue of Ram Mandir and their 'soft approach' towards Pakistan.