Uddhav Thackeray targets Centre over Kashmir situation

Firing a fresh salvo at the Narendra Modi government, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday questioned the Centre's handling of the Kashmir situation and accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "failing" Hindus, while noting that a "hazy situation" was prevalent in the country.

"Who is accountable for this? Amaranth Yatra has been suspended, Hindus are being beaten, jawans attacked. Everyone had hoped that after a change in government, the scenario would change," Thackeray said in an interview to party mouthpiece 'Saamana', ahead of his birthday on July 26.

"'Now onwards, Hindus will not be targeted, this is what BJP, which is in power at the Centre as well as in the state (Kashmir), had asserted. But, Hindus are in trouble in the Valley," claimed Uddhav.

Shiv Sena, the oldest political ally of the BJP, shares power with it at the Centre as well as in Maharashtra.

Drawing parallels with the tagline of a popular television advertisement of a deodorant, he said, "Kya Chal Raha Hai? Fog Chal Raha hai as he hit out at the central government."

He added that a hazy situation is prevalent in the country.

"No one can understand what is happening and who is doing what. The dispensation has changed, but has the life of commoner got changed?" he asked.

Thackeray also said his party upheld the cause of Hindutva the best but its benefits were reaped by others also.

"We took the brickbats and faced all the troubles for Hindus... But now others are enjoying the benefits. For how long will this continue?" he asked.

Replying to a question, if he was hinting at Modi, the 56-year-old leader said, "I am talking about the political leadership of the country in toto. Our Prime Minister visits all the states of the country, including Kashmir. But why he doesn't stand behind the Kashmiri Hindus at this time of crisis)."

Responding to a query on reports of growing Islamic Sstate of Iraq and Syria threat in the country, he said it was high time that India was declared a Hindu nation to curb such elements.

"We have no other alternative but to declare India a Hindu Rashtra. Indians have been beating the drum of secularism loudly for long and Hindus have suffered enough in the secularism fold," he said.