MUMBAI: Sharjeel Usmani, a former Aligarh Muslim University student leader accused of raising anti-religious sentiments in his speech at the Elgar Parishad will be dealt with strict action, said deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.
Replying to the discussion on governor’s address in the legislative council on Thursday, Pawar said there is no reason to back anyone who poses a threat to national security adding that all should take sensible positions on crucial issues.
A complaint has been filed against Usmani for making anti-Hindu remarks and hurting religious sentiments at the Elgar Parishad held in January this year in Pune.
“Strict action will be taken against Usmani. No one will be spared. You (BJP) should also not have two positions on the country and state’s social security,” he said without naming any party.
He also remindedof a journalist without naming anyone that he was arrested in a case for abetment to suicide.
“There are allegations against the journalist of disclosing serious and confidential information regarding the country’s security. This journalist had expressed joy after the country’s soldiers were martyred in the Pulwama terror attack,” said Pawar.
Pawar said when the said journalist was arrested in another case some legislators even sat on a hunger protest outside Mantralaya. “No one who works against nation’s interest must be supported. We all should take sensible positions. This is my view and the view of the Maha Vikas Aghadi too,” he said.
Pawar hinting at some relief in petrol and diesel prices said the Centre collects Rs 35.90 per litre of petrol and of this Rs 32.90 is collected as cess whereas the state government is collecting Rs 28.90 as value added tax. “Our government has not increased the tax on petrol and diesel. We are thinking of certain changes which I shall announce in my budget speech on March 8,” he said.
The government, he said, was committed to the overall development of Maharashtra and would ensure that the Development Board for Marathwada, Vidarbha and Rest of Maharashtra will receive the same quantum of funds as in the past. The Board headed by the Governor is yet to be constituted. Pawar had earlier said that when the Governor approves the appointment of 12 members to the Upper House as proposed by the state government, the board will be constituted.
Referring to the covid crisis management by the government, Pawar said it did not slash budgets for food and civil supplies, police, public health and medical department. “Rather we recruited additional man power to tackle the crisis,” he said.