MNS Legislators Attack Abu Azmi For Taking Oath In Hindi

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Assembly witnessed ugly scenes on Monday when the newly elected MLAs to the Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) attacked Samajwadi Party Abu Azmi to take the oath of office and secrecy in Hindi.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray had warned the newly elected legislators, urging them to take oath only in Marathi. Azmi has refused to yield to the demand for Raj, state categorically that it was a privilege being sworn into the national language.

However, during the swearing-in ceremony today at the first day of the state Assembly at the opening session after the election of the new government, MNS MLA Ram Kadam grabbed the microphone and SP legislator Azmi began reading the oath in Hindi.

The fight did not end there with other legislators MNS in participating and exchanging blows with Azmi.

Marshalls had to be called to control the situation and that the term pro-president and lawmakers from other parties could not calm the situation.

The Assembly was adjourned for half an hour of chaos.

Speaking to reporters later outside the House, Azmi said those who oppose him to take the oath in Hindi was insulting the Constitution of India.

“I am well within my rights to take the oath in Hindi and Raj Thackeray is nobody to tell me to take the oath in Marathi,” he said.

Azmi asked police to arrest MNS state legislators, saying it can not tolerate the insult of the nation, its Constitution and language.