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Maharashtra government firm on prosecuting Thackeray

Our correspondent in Bombay

The Maharashtra government is determined to take legal action against Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray despite the Sena's threat to take its protest to the streets in case he is arrested. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said, "There is no question of us backing down."

The Democratic Front government has sanctioned the prosecution of Thackeray for writing inflammatory editorials during the 1992-93 communal riots in Bombay.

"We are fully prepared to face any eventuality," Deshmukh said. "Let them go on threatening. We are only going by the law. We believe that everybody is equal before the law. We will ensure that peace is maintained in the city. Nobody need have any fear on that score."

Deshmukh said the Bombay police would decide when Thackeray is to be arrested. "We have sanctioned his prosecution. How to go about it is the job of the police," he said.

Deshmukh also made light of threats by Thackeray to get the Centre to dismiss his government. "I do not think the Centre will dismiss our government. Even it does, we are prepared to fight it out politically," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Chaggan Bhujbal too stated on Thursday that the police will decide on the arrest of Thackeray."

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