Janata Dal (United) chief and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said the arrest of the girls was wrong. I will talk to the Maharashtra Chief Minister in this regard," Yadav told reporters here.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ramvilas Paswan told reporters here separately that the arrests were an example of the misuse of Indian Penal Code and IT Act. "How does talking against a bandh attract sections relating to hurting religious sentiments," he asked.
Paswan said he would raise the issue in Parliament during the Winter Session even as he demanded action against the police officials involved in the case.
"It is now for the Chief Minister and the state Home Minister to explain the police action. It is okay to accord state funeral to Thackeray. But arresting people for opposing bandh is uncalled for," he said.
Shaheen Dhada and Renu were arrested for posting comments opposing the Mumbai shutdown. However, they were granted bail after they furnished personal bonds.
Paswan also attacked the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar for poor arrangements for the Chhath festival along the banks of river Ganga in Patna where a stampede killed 17 people last evening.
"Our party had flagged the poor arrangements as early as November 13. But the government did not heed to our demand of putting up a strong temporary bridge instead of the one which gave way...The government should be booked under section 302 of the IPC," he said.
