Congress says Raj Thackeray 'anti-national to the core'

NEW DELHI: With attacks on North Indians in Mumbai creating a major row, Congress has deplored the "parochial and narrow minded regionalism" represented by leaders like Raj Thackeray, dubbing it as "anti-national to the core".
 
"The recent ruckus created by Thackeray and his goons from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in Mumbai has only brought shame and disrepute to a city known for long as the most cosmopolitan in the country," the party journal 'Congress Sandesh' said in its latest issue.
 
Appealing to the people of Mumbai to reject the "hate discourse" of Thackeray, the journal said in an editorial that his 'Mumbai for Maharashtrians only' campaign was "not only unconstitutional, but ..... cannot be allowed to ruin the unity of the country".
 
Noting that the Constitution guarantees its citizens freedom of movement and the right to reside in any part of the country, it said: "this is the hallmark of our democracy and representative of India's vibrant diversity".
 
It said that the large metropolises in the country were reflection of its diversity and includes people from all regions. "Delhi, for example, is home to people from all over the country just like Mumbai is."