Shiv Sena slams those behind Elgaar Parishad meeting, says ‘group akin to al-Qaida’ 

Shiv Sena chief and Saamana editor Uddhav Thackeray.

The Shiv Sena, on Wednesday, drew parallels between the ideas behind the pro-dalit Elgaar Parishad conclave held in Pune and global terror outfit al-Qaida. While backing the police action against activist and academician Anand Teltumbde, it said that constant attacks on police and demoralizing people is the strategy of al-Qaida.

The Sena, in hard-hitting editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece Saamana, said: “To criticize and attack the police, civil administration, law enforcement agencies and raising questions over the government policies with intention to demoralize and weaken the system is an al-Qaida strategy which is now adopted by supporters of the Elgaar Parishad.”

Teltumbde, a management professional, writer and civil rights activist was arrested last week for his alleged links with Maoists but released after a session’s court order. The edit said: “It is the beginning of the conspiracy to convict the police and this is the time to stand firm with the police.”

The Sena also claimed some serious “anti-national activities” were being planned, and portraying police as criminals was the beginning of such a conspiracy. It added, “Hence, this is the right time to stand firmly with police.”

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